The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #4396   Message #23918
Posted By: Jon W.
16-Mar-98 - 05:54 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: The Rose Tree
Subject: Lyr req: The Rose Tree
I bought a clawhammer banjo book the other day which has a tune in it under the name "The Rose Tree". The note says it dates from the mid 18th century and is known wherever English is spoken. It is called "Portlairge" in Ireland (I'm familiar with this from the singing of the Clancy Bros., who do it in Gaelic) and "False Knight on the Road" in Scotland. The last seems to be Child #3, of which there are four versions (at least) in the DT, but none of the tunes there match this one. Does anyone know if there are English words to this, either a "False Knight" that matches the tune, or words that match the title "The Rose Tree", or both?

PS. It also seems to be closely related to another tune in the book call "Grand Old Dame Britannia."