“O I Hae Seen the Roses Blaw”

Description

"O, I hae seen the roses blaw, The heather bloom, the broom and a'... Yet Mary's sweeter on the green...." The singer praises the girl, wishes he could win her, says he would love anywhere she is, and declares he will wander till she loves him

Supplemental text

O I Hae Seen the Roses Blaw
  Partial text(s)

          *** A ***

From Stokoe/Reay, Songs and Ballads of Northern England, pp. 16-17.

Oh! I hae seen the roses blaw,
The heather bloom, the broom and a'
The lily spring as white as snaw,
  With all their native splendour.
Yet Mary's sweeter on the green,
As fresh and fair as Flora's queen,
Mair stately than the branching bean,
  Or like the ivy slender.

(4 additional stanzas)

References

1. Stokoe/Reay, pp. 16-17, "Oh! I Ha'e Seen the Roses Blaw" (1 text, 1 tune)
2. ST StoR016 (Partial)
3. Roud #2617
4. BI, StoR016