Lyr Req: Rosa Lee McFall (Charlie Monroe)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rosa Lee McFall (Charlie Monroe)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 03 Dec 09 - 10:55 AM

The US Catalog of Copyright Entries says that a "musical composition" called ROSA LEE MCFALL was copyrighted in 1937 by J. M. Pasley.

Subject: ADD Versions: Rosalee McFall
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 08:01 PM

Rosalie McFall
(Grateful Dead Version)

Out on the lonely hillside in a cabin low and small
Lived the sweetest rose of color my Rosie McFall
Her eyes were bright and shining and her voice was sweet to me
Knew that I would always love her and I hoped that she loved me

My eyes turned to me, my darlin' and this is what she said:
You know that I would always love you when you and I are wed.
Then God way up in heaven one day for her did call
I lost my bride, oh how I loved her, my Rosie McFall

I searched this wide world over through cities great and small
But I never found another like my Rosie McFall


This was on the 1980 Grateful Dead Reckoning album.
found at This Greateful Dead Website.

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The link Sorcha posted also has a Peter Rowan version -


Peter Rowan's version with the Red Hot Pickers has rather different lyrics:

Up on a lonely hillside
In a cabin low and small
Lived my sweeheart of the mountains
My Rosa Lee McFall

Her eyes were bright and shiny
And her lips were ruby red
On her breast she wore white lilies
Where I long to lay my head

Her eyes like flowing rivers
Her lips were sweet as wine
I told her that we could be happy
If she'd only say she's mine

But God way up in heaven
For her one day did call
I missed my girl, oh how I loved her
My Rosa Lee McFall

I'll roam this wide world over
Through cities great and small
Till God prepares my home in heaven
With Rosa Lee McFall

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The Traditional Ballad Index has a little information, but not much. Looks like it's not in any of the songbooks the Ballad Index has covered.

Rosa Lee McFall

DESCRIPTION: Singer loves Rosa Lee McFall and sings her praises. He proposes to her; she accepts, but then dies. He vows to roam the world alone "'till God prepares my place in heaven With my Rosa Lee McFall"
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE:
KEYWORDS: grief courting love death mourning travel
FOUND IN: US
RECORDINGS:
Charlie Monroe & His Kentucky Partners, "Rosa Lee McFall" (RCA Victor 21-0054, c. 1949)
New Lost City Ramblers, "Rosa Lee McFall" (on NLCR13)
Notes: This plot shows up enough times that I have the sneaking suspicion "Rosa Lee McFall" is a variant of another song. Since I don't know which, however, I've indexed it on its own. - PJS
File: RcRLMcF

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Go to the Ballad Search form
Go to the Ballad Index Instructions

The Ballad Index Copyright 2003 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle.

Subject: RE: Origins: Rosa Lee McFall
From: michaelr
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 07:48 PM

Grateful Dead Songfinder (yep, they played this one, too) says words and music by Charlie Monroe. From the Monroe Brothers LP "Early Bluegrass Music".

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Origins: Rosa Lee McFall
From:
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 01:50 PM

Another site says the same thing you say. Rosalie McFall

Subject: Origins: Rosa Lee McFall
From: South Side
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 01:34 PM

Curious, does anyone know the origin of this song? I have seen it credited to Charlie Monroe, and as a traditional tune. Not sure which is correct.
Thanks,
South Side

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rosalee McFall
From: GUEST,rastaaa
Date: 27 Aug 01 - 10:56 PM

thanx Sorcha ,ive been lookin for these lyrics for some time , i heaard it from Alan Munde, texas banjo player-----rastaaa

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rosalee McFall
From: Sorcha
Date: 27 Aug 01 - 06:40 PM

e mail sent..........

Subject: Lyr Add: ROSA LEE MCFALL
From: Sorcha
Date: 27 Aug 01 - 06:39 PM

The title on the LP "Reckoning" was given as 'Rosalie McFall'. But the original Monroe Brothers' LP has the title 'Rosa Lee McFall' and that is what is used on the CD version of "Reckoning".

Out on the lonely hillside
In a cabin low and small
Lived the sweetest rose of color
My Rosa Lee McFall

Her hair was brightsome color (note 1)
Her voice was sweet to me
I know that I will always love her
And I hope that she loved me

A asked her to be my darling
And this is what she said
You know that I will only be happy (note 2)
When you and I are wed

Then God way up in heaven
One day for her did call
I lost my bride, oh how I loved her
My Rosa Lee McFall

I've searched the wide world over (note 3)
Cities great and small
But I've never found another
Like my Rosa Lee McFall

Out on the lonely hillside
In a cabin low and small
Lived the sweetest rose of color
My Rosa Lee McFall

Footnotes and other info found here
which is: http://www3.clearlight.com/~acsa/introjs.htm?/~acsa/songfile/ROSALIEM.HTM

Subject: Rosalee McFall
From:
Date: 27 Aug 01 - 06:28 PM

Looking for the words to Rosalee McFall. Tough to understand on the 2 recording I have.

Thanks
Russ

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Messages from multiple threads combined.
-Joe Offer-