rising of the moon

English

Etymology

From the ballad "The Rising of the Moon" (c1865), recounting a battle between the United Irishmen and the British Army during the Irish Rebellion of 1798.

Noun

rising of the moon (plural risings of the moon)

1. (Ireland, poetic) a rebellion.
   • 1981, Johnny McEvoy, The Ballad of John Williams:

     And the peelers and the landlords
     and the risings of the moon
     And if ever I return again,
     'twill be too bloody soon".