The Night Visiting Song Lyrics
The DublinersMusic Video
The Night Visiting Song
I must away now, I can no longer tarry
This morning's tempest I have to cross
I must be guided without a stumble
Into the arms I love the most
And when he came to his true love's dwelling
He knelt down gently upon a stone
And through her window he's whispered lowly
Is my true love within at home?
Wake up, wake up love, it is thine own true lover
Wake up, wake up love, and let me in
For I am tired love and oh, so weary
And more than near drenched to the skin
She's raised her off her down soft pillow
She's raised her up and she's let him in
And they were locked in each others arms
Until that long night was past and gone
And when that long night was past and over
And when the small clouds began to grow
He's taken her hand and they've kissed and parted
Then he saddled and mounted and away did go
I must away now, I can no longer tarry
This morning's tempest I have to cross
I must be guided without a stumble
Into the arms I love the most
Song Details
🎶 Music & Lyrics: Traditional
📝 Song Brief: The song tells of a young man who arrives at his lover’s window on a stormy night, weary, drenched, and longing for her warmth. She rises from her pillow, lets him in, and the two spend the night in each other’s arms. At daybreak, he must leave — he takes his lover’s hand as they share a final embrace, then saddles his horse and rides away.
📖 Glossary:- tarry — delay leaving; stay longer than you mean to, often because you cannot bear to part.
- tempest — a violent, windy storm, especially one that heightens the drama or emotion of a scene.
Noteworthy: In December 1983, "The Night Visiting Song" would become the final song to be performed by Luke Kelly with The Dubliners on Irish television (see video above).
Kelly's health had deteriorated in the 1970s, and on June 30, 1980, he collapsed on stage during a concert and was subsequently diagnosed with a brain tumor. He continued performing but his health continued to deteriorate and he finally succumbed on Jan 30, 1984.
He was buried in Galvanise Cemetery, Dublin, where his gravestone bears the inscription: "Luke Kelly – Dubliner".🌹
👥 Covers: Kate Rusby, Damien Dempsey, Noel Mcloughlin, Tommy Fleming, Roger McGuire, The Fenians, Braoinin, Aileen Downes, ÚLLA, The Kells, Aoife Scott, Ian Drew, Liz Madden & Fionán de Barra ft. Joanie Madden, Pádraig D'arcy, Larkin & Moran Brothers, Sussie Nielsen.
🏴 Genre: Scottish Folk Song
Although widely sung in Ireland today, The Night Visiting Song is generally traced to the Scottish folk tradition. Early versions appear in Scottish collections and recordings, especially within the family of “night‑visiting” ballads where a lover arrives secretly at a window to share a final embrace before dawn. The Dubliners later brought the song to a wider audience, giving it a treasured place in Irish folk music as well.
🎤 Featured Artists: The Dubliners
💿 Album Double Dubliners
Released: 1972
Country: UK
Format: 12" Vinyl
Label: Columbia
🎸 If you'd like to play this song on guitar, you can view the chord version on our sister site, Bell & Co Music.
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