Listen to this song!
Red Is The Rose
On June 20, 1763
Theobald Wolfe Tone, a leading figure in the Irish independence movement, is born. He was one of the founders of the society of the United Irishmen.
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The Flower Of Sweet Strabane
(Trad)
If I were King of Ireland
And all things at my will
I'd roam through all creations
New fortunes to find still
And the fortune I would seek the most
You all must understand
Is to win the heart of Martha
The flower of sweet Strabane

Her cheeks they are a rosy red
Her hair golden brown
And o'er her lily white shoulders
It carelessly falls down
She's one of the loveliest creatures
Of the whole creation planned
And my heart is captivated by
The flower of sweet Strabane

If I had you lovely Martha
Away in Innisowen
Or in some lonesome valley
In the wild woods of Tyrone
I would use my whole endeavour
And I'd try to work my plan
For to gain my prize and to feast my eyes
On the flower of sweet Strabane

Oh, I'll go o'er the Lagan
Down by the steam ships tall
I'm sailing for Amerikay
Across the briny foam
My boat is bound for Liverpool
Down by the Isle of Man
So I'll say farewell, God bless you
My flower of sweet Strabane
This is one of the great Anglo Irish love songs of the 19th century.
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to the Ballad Archive:
1. Dixieland
2. The Body Of An American
3. Toon O' Kelso
4. Maggie May
5. The McGregors
MOST POPULAR BALLADS
in June:
1. Ireland's Call
2. A Mother's Love Is A Blessing
3. The Soldier's Song
4. The Raggle Taggle Gypsy
5. All For Me Grog
MOST POPULAR BALLADS
of all time:
1. Ireland's Call
2. The Soldier's Song
3. The Raggle Taggle Gypsy
4. All For Me Grog
5. After The Ball Is Over