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10 Nov 04 - 08:34 PM (#1322934) Subject: Where is this stanza from? From: Stephen R. Can someone identify: Her cheeks they are a ruby red, Her hair a lovely brown, And o'er her milk-white shoulders It carelessly hangs down. Stephen |
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10 Nov 04 - 08:37 PM (#1322937) Subject: Lyr Add: THE FLOWER OF SWEET STRABANE From: beardedbruce The Flower of Sweet Strabane (Trad. 19th century, but might be earlier.) If I were King of Ireland's Isle And had all things at my will I'd roam for recreation And I'd seek for comfort still. The comfort I would ask for, So that you may understand Is to win the heart of Martha, The Flower of Sweet Strabane. Her cheeks they are a ruby red, Her hair a lovely brown And o'er her milk-white shoulders It carelessly hangs down. She is the fairest creature And the pride of all her clan And my heart is captivated By the Flower of Sweet Strabane. Well I've been in the Phoenix Park And in Killarney fair, The lovely glens of Antrim And the winding banks of Clare. In all my earthly travels I never yet met one That could compare, I do declare, With the Flower of Sweet Strabane. But since I cannot gain her love No joy there is for me, And I must seek forgetfulness In lands across the sea. Unless she cares to follow me, I swear by my right hand McKenna's face you'll ne'er more see, My Flower of Sweet Strabane. So it's farewell to sweet Derry Quay, New Mills and Waterside I'll sail out o'er the ocean, Whatever may betide. I'll sail away from Derry Quay Out by the Isle of Man, And I'll bid farewell to Martha, The Flower of Sweet Strabane. |
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10 Nov 04 - 09:44 PM (#1322984) Subject: RE: Where is this stanza from? From: Peace Jaysus, bbruce, what took you so long? |
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10 Nov 04 - 09:47 PM (#1322989) Subject: RE: Where is this stanza from? From: TIA Also remarkably similar to a verse of Shady Grove my father used to sing. Could be he mixed it up a bit with Strabane. But that's Folk ain't it? |
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10 Nov 04 - 09:58 PM (#1322999) Subject: RE: Where is this stanza from? From: Q (Frank Staplin) This one is in the DT, and see other versions in thread 8569: Strabane |
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10 Nov 04 - 10:12 PM (#1323009) Subject: RE: Where is this stanza from? From: beardedbruce brucie, I have stated that I am a lousy typist. Slow, too. |
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10 Nov 04 - 10:13 PM (#1323013) Subject: RE: Where is this stanza from? From: LadyJean I believe the verse in Shady Grove is: Cheeks as red as a blooming rose Eyes as brown as brown You are the darling of my heart Stay til the sun goes down. |
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10 Nov 04 - 10:22 PM (#1323021) Subject: RE: Where is this stanza from? From: Q (Frank Staplin) Shady Grove also in the DT; variants in thread 15883: Shady Grove |
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11 Nov 04 - 12:12 PM (#1323385) Subject: RE: Where is this stanza from? From: Stephen R. Thanks, beardedbruce and all! The Shady Grove stanza is somewhat similar, but here we get into such folksong commonplace that similarities will turn up all over the place. I'm particularly interested in the collocation of hair, esp. brown hair, and shoulders. 'The Black Velvet Band' (Roud 2146) 'The Blazing Star of Drim' (Roud 2945) 'The Dawning of the Day' (Roud 370) ('The Flower of Sweet Strabane' is Roud 2745.) Certainly looks like an Irish thing. 'The Blazing Star of Drim' and 'The Dawning of the Day' have *white* shoulders, which after all give us the proper name Fionnula or Finnoula. Stephen |