Red is the Rose …

The rose has been the muse of many an artist - the painter, the poet, the singer, even the harper. The melodies put to prose are among the most beautiful and enduring of all time, and their lyrical qualities find an easy fit in a harpers repertoire. Among these is the song, “Red is the Rose.”

• “Red is the Rose” is an Irish song, ‘though the melody comes from the well-known Scottish song called The Bonnie Banks o’Loch Lomond, which dates backs to well before the 19th Century.

• Like many traditional folk songs, the song tells the story of a blossoming love that ends in sadness as the two lovers are separated.

• The words at the end, recounting how the man does not miss his mother or sister as much as his lover and has left Ireland forever, alluding to his having emigrated - as is well documented in Irelands history, stories, music and song.

• Many artists have recorded this song; of particular note is the version below, sung by Nanci Griffith with The Chieftains.

Red is the Rose

Come over the hills, my bonnie Irish lass; come over the hills to your darling

You choose the road, love and I'll make the vow; And I'll be your true love forever. 

Chorus:

Red is the Rose that in yonder garden grows; Fair is the lily of the valley

Clear is the water that flows from the Boyne; But my love is fairer than any.

'Twas down by Killarney's green woods that we strayed; When the moon and stars they were shining

The moon shone its rays on her locks of golden hair; And she swore she'd be my love forever.

It's not for the parting that my sister pains; It's not for the grief of my mother

'Tis all for the loss of my bonny Irish lass; That my heart is breaking forever.