Lyr Req: Bessie the Beauty from Rossinore Hill

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Bessie the Beauty from Rossinore Hill'
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 26 Oct 02 - 03:10 PM

I have found a couple of references to a slow air called "Bessy [or Bessie] the Beauty of Rossinore Hill" on two albums called They Love Music Mightily and Sounds from the North -- but those recordings presumably don't have words, so I guess they can't help you with the spelling.

According to the UK Ordnance Survey, there are several places in the UK named Overton, but I'm guessing your song is Irish, and I haven't been able to find an Overton in Ireland, nor can I find a good site that lets you look up Irish place-names.

I had better luck with the River Nanny, which seems to be in Meath. I haven't found a map of it, or a complete description of it, but Google finds over 100 references to it on the Internet.

And except in the title of the tune, I can't find any reference to Rossinore Hill, either.

Subject: Lyr Req: 'Bessie the Beauty from Rossinore Hill'
From: corvi
Date: 23 Oct 02 - 10:40 AM

Hi
I actually have most of the lyrics to this song - but am unsure of the place name spellings. There are only two - the river in the first verse and the place in the last verse - perhaps I'm being picky - but I like to be correct!

Below is the text - any help would be greatly appreciated

By the sweet River Nanni(?) in the bright summer season
oh, the weather is fine and the meadow's in bloom
the small birds sang quietly and everything most pleasant
which coaxed me for to wander away from my loom
I carelessly did stray by a lonely plantation
for to view a fair one; some time I stood still
she equalled bright Flora in her lofty station
she's Bessie my beauty from Rossinore Hill

With most admiration I did gaze upon Bessie
oh, her eyes were as bright as the dew on the Rhine
Queen Helen was never so handsome or pretty
as she when she wanders down by the woodside
I eagerly longed to get in conversation
with that matchless fair one who had me in thrall
I courteously bowed with great humiliation
and spoke to Miss Bessie from Rossinore Hill

"Oh darling, then really, please pardon my folly
for daring to speak to a goddess, you know
and pity a slave that's in deep melancholy
and destructed by Cupid, I'll tell you such woe
your glance and appearance has my heart attracted
you may kill or cure me, but I am here at your will
this killing affection, it has me distracted
oh Bessie, my beauty from Rossinore Hill."

She said then, "Young man, you must stop this intrusion
on some other fair one, perhaps you may strain
and I do here desire that you make a conclusion
for I will not be flattered, I'll tell you quite plain
you know I'm no goddess, not purely celestial
but a poor peasant's daughter who lives near the mill
so banter no longer, and treat me terrestrial
said Bessie, my beauty from Rossinore Hill.

"I said then, "Fair maiden, I am no deceiver
and the words that I speak are the thoughts of my mind
and for to be candid, I am only a weaver
though for future in life, I'll be constant and kind
I seek your affection, and care not for money
that glittering tripe, sure it will not coax well
my heart's in your bosom, accept it, my honey
my Bessie and beauty from Rossinore Hill.

"She said then, "Young man, you do speak with sound reason
and I cannot slight you at all for being poor
I'm happy for poverty, it is not high treason
and wealth unto any man is never secure
'til I see my parents, I can give you no answer
though I wish everymore, my commands they'll fulfil
and to proceed further is only romancing
said Bessie my beauty from Rossinore Hill."

Well I bid her goodbye, and I parted with Bessie
I watched her cross Overton(?)that enchanted place
and the most hard tyrant I am sure would me pity
if he was aware of my heart-wrenching kiss
so now I'll go home and apply to my shuttle
I'll use my exertions, my heart and my skill
and unto blind Cupid I mean to do battle
for he wounded me sore upon Rossinore Hill

Thanks