The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #43126   Message #512621
Posted By: Malcolm Douglas
23-Jul-01 - 12:20 PM
Thread Name: Origins: The Rose in June
Subject: Lyr Add: THE ROSE IN JUNE (LET IT BE EARLY, LATE..
Well, why not; it's a nice song.  That version appeared in Bob Copper's Songs and Southern Breezes, which I don't have.  Here's another set, which I was going to post at the time, but evidently forgot about:

THE ROSE IN JUNE (LET IT BE EARLY, LATE OR SOON)

The rose in June's not half so sweet
As kisses where true lovers meet,
So let it be early, late or soon,
I'll enjoy my rose in June.

Then I will drive my flock to the fold,
Let the weather blow warm or cold,
So let it be early, late or soon,
I'll enjoy my rose in June.

Then I'll cut down the sweet myrtle tree
To make a fine bower for Sally and me,
So let it be early, late or soon,
I'll enjoy my rose in June.

This version was noted by Cecil Sharp from John Vincent (72) at Priddy, Somerset, 25th April 1906.

The following text is from a broadside printed between 1813 and 1838 by J. Catnach of 2 " 3, Monmouth Court, Seven Dials:

Some idly throughout spend their time,
Not to enjoy their rose in prime,
Let it be early, late or soon,
I will enjoy my rose in June.


The violets make the meadows smell sweet
None with my roses are complete,

Primroses make the meadows look neat,
None with my roses are complete.

Cowslips make the meadows look fair,
None with my roses can compare.

Of every sweet flower that grows,
None can compare to my blooming rose.

"can compete" might usefully be substituted in either verse 2 or 3, but none of the copies I've seen have it.  The original, together with several others -all very similar textually- can be seen at  Bodleian Library Broadside Ballads.

A midi of John Vincent's tune goes to  The Mudcat Midi Pages;  meanwhile, it can be heard via the  South Riding Folk Network  site:

The Rose in June