"Night of the Swallow" is a 1982 song by Kate Bush. Written and produced by her, it was included on the album The Dreaming. The song has a significantly Irish theme in that it features many Irish musicians and instruments. It was released as a single in Ireland in late 1983, making it the fifth release from the album.

The lyrics concern a smuggler planning his next clandestine journey, Bush takes on the role of his lover, who begs him not to go ("I won't let you do it. If you go, I'll let the law know"). The song ends with the smuggler speaking in defiance ("Would you break even my wings, like a swallow. Let me, let me go"). Bush herself has commented on the lyrics, saying:

"In this song she wants to control him and because he wants to do something that she doesn't want him to she feels that he is going away. It's almost on a parallel with the mother and son relationship where there is the same female feeling of not wanting the young child to move away from the nest. Of course, from the guy's point of view, because she doesn't want him to go, the urge to go is even stronger. For him, it's not so much a job as a challenge; a chance to do something risky and exciting."

The song's release in Ireland only is most likely due to the Irish nature of the song, featuring instrumental accompaniment by Irish musicians. These include members of Planxty and The Chieftains: Bill Whelan on Bagpipes and String arrangement, Liam O'Flynn on Uillean pipes and Penny whistle, Seán Keane on Fiddle and Dónal Lunny on Bouzouki. Whelan is credited as writing the string parts for the song, although this was in close association with Bush herself. Bush was to explore Irish themes in later works also, such as "Jig of Life" from Hounds of Love (1985) and the single "Rocket Man" (1991). Bush's mother was Irish and so Kate had listened to traditional Irish music from a young age and was eager to explore this style. Her brother Jay also influenced her due to his appreciation of the group Planxty.

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