“Sleeping Beauty (Thorn Rose, Briar Rose)”

Description

Singing game. "Fair Rosa was a lovely child... Fair Rosa slept a hundred years... A forest grew around her tower... A wicked fairy found her there... A noble prince came riding by... And now she's happy as a bride."

Notes

Very common as a folktale, of course, and quite old. In the Grimm collection, it is "Briar-Rose" ("Dornroschen," #50, 1812); Perrault also had a version. The oldest version known is in the Volsung saga; in section 20, Sigurd awakens Brynhild by slicing away her enchanted armor. - RBW

References

  1. SHenry H599, p. 12, "Fair Rosa/The Sleeping Beauty" (1 text, 1 tune)
  2. Hammond-Belfast, p. 19, "Fair Rosa" (1 text, 1 tune)
  3. Roud #7889
  4. BI, HHH599

About

Author: unknown
Earliest date: 1935 (Sam Henry collection)
Found in: Ireland