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{{Short description|Irish ballad (19th century)}}
⚫
'''"The Rose of Tralee"''' is a nineteenth-century [[Irish people|Irish]] [[ballad]] about a woman called Mary, who because of her beauty was called ''The Rose of [[Tralee]]''. The [[Rose of Tralee (festival)|Rose of Tralee festival]] had been inspired by the ballad.
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Use Irish English|date=June 2021}}
⚫
'''"The Rose of Tralee"''' is a nineteenth-century [[Irish people|Irish]] [[ballad]] about a woman called Mary, who because of her beauty was called ''The Rose of [[Tralee]]''. The [[Rose of Tralee (festival)|Rose of Tralee International Festival]] had been inspired by the ballad.


The words of the song are credited to Edward Mordaunt Spencer and the music to [[Charles William Glover]], but a story circulated in connection with the festival claims that the song was written by William Pembroke Mulchinock, a wealthy [[Church of Ireland|Protestant]], out of love for Mary O'Connor, a poor [[Catholicism|Catholic]] maid in service to his parents.<ref>
The words of the song are credited to Edward Mordaunt Spencer and the music to [[Charles William Glover]], but a story circulated in connection with the festival claims that the song was written by William Pembroke Mulchinock, out of love for Mary O'Connor, a poor maid in service to his family.<ref>
{{cite web
{{cite web
|url=http://www.roseoftralee.ie/catalog/popup_story.php
|url=http://www.roseoftralee.ie/catalog/popup_story.php
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100724093801/http://www.roseoftralee.ie/catalog/popup_story.php
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=24 July 2010
|title=The Rose of Tralee Story
|title=The Rose of Tralee Story
|work=Rose of Tralee website
|work=Rose of Tralee website
|accessdate=24 October 2008
|accessdate=24 Jul 2010
}}</ref>
}}</ref>

In 2019 the Rose of Tralee International Festival, as part of their 60th Anniversary living history promotion, employed the services of Dr. Andrea Nini, a forensic linguist working on cases of disputed authorship. His report concluded<ref name="smile">{{Cite web|url=https://www.roseoftralee.ie/press-releases/c/0/i/36725059/smile-mary-my-darling-rose-tralee|title=Smile Mary My Darling for the Rose of Tralee|last=International Festival|first=Rose of Tralee|date=25 August 2019|website=Rose of Tralee International Festival|accessdate=26 September 2019}}</ref> that a poem written by Tralee poet William Pembroke Mulchinock called ''Smile Mary My Darling'' was published and passed off by Edward Mordaunt Spencer in 1846 in his book of poetry ''The Heir of Abbotsville''.<ref>{{cite book|last=Spencer|first=Edward Mordaunt|title=The Heir of Abbotsville: A Poem in Four Cantos on Men & Manners of the Nineteenth Century, Together with Other Miscellaneous Poems|publisher=Published by the author.|url=https://archive.org/details/heirofabbotsvill00spenrich|page=[https://archive.org/details/heirofabbotsvill00spenrich/page/15 15]|quote=The Heir of Abbotsville.|year=1846|accessdate=26 September 2019}}</ref> This poem was adapted into a poem called ''The Rose of Tralee'' with the air being re-set by [[Charles William Glover]] from one of his previous ballads.<ref name="smile"/>


==Lyrics==
==Lyrics==

:The pale moon was rising above the green mountain,
:The pale moon was rising above the green mountain,
:The sun was declining beneath the blue sea;
:The sun was declining beneath the blue sea;
Line 31: Line 40:
:Her voice was a solace and comfort to me,
:Her voice was a solace and comfort to me,
:But the chill hand of death has now rent us asunder,
:But the chill hand of death has now rent us asunder,
:I'm lonely tonight for the Rose of Traleee.
:I'm lonely tonight for the Rose of Tralee.
:She was lovely and fair as the rose of the summer,
:She was lovely and fair as the rose of the summer,
:Yet 'twas not her beauty alone that won me;
:Yet 'twas not her beauty alone that won me;
:Oh no, 'twas the truth in her eyes ever dawning,
:Oh no, 'twas the truth in her eyes ever dawning,
:That made me love Mary,The Rose of Tralee <ref>
:That made me love Mary, The Rose of Tralee <ref>
{{cite web
{{cite web
|url=http://www.roseoftralee.ie/catalog/song.php
|url=http://www.roseoftralee.ie/catalog/song.php
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120817033125/http://www.roseoftralee.ie/catalog/song.php
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=17 August 2012
|title=The Rose of Tralee lyrics
|title=The Rose of Tralee lyrics
|work=Rose of Tralee website
|work=Rose of Tralee website
|accessdate=13 May 2010
|accessdate=17 Aug 2012
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


==Popular culture==
==Popular culture==
{{In popular culture|date=April 2021}}
The song was sung by John McCormack in the film Song o' My Heart (1930).
The song was sung by [[John McCormack (tenor)|John McCormack]] in the film ''[[Song o' My Heart]]'' (1930).<br>
In the film ''[[The Informer (1935 film)|The Informer]]'' (1935), it is sung by [[Denis O'Dea]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Internet Movie Database|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0026529/soundtrack?ref_=tt_trv_snd|website=imdb.com|accessdate=30 July 2017}}</ref><br>
[[Gordon MacRae]] sings the song in the film ''[[The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady]]'' (1950).<ref>{{cite web|title=Internet Movie Database|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042382/soundtrack?ref_=tt_trv_snd|website=imdb.com|accessdate=30 July 2017}}</ref>


[[Bing Crosby]] recorded the song on 17 July 1945 for Decca Records with [[John Scott Trotter]] and his Orchestra<ref>{{cite web|title=A Bing Crosby Discography|url=http://www.bingmagazine.co.uk/bingmagazine/crosby1bDecca.html|website=BING magazine|publisher=International Club Crosby|accessdate=5 July 2017}}</ref> and it was included in his album ''[[St. Patrick's Day (album)|St. Patrick's Day]]''.
⚫
It was sung by the cast at the end of the play "Thirst" (1942) by [[Flann O'Brien]].


⚫
It was sung by the cast at the end of the play ''Thirst'' (1942) by [[Flann O'Brien]].
⚫
In the film "[[The Luck of the Irish (1948 film)]]" the song is sung by Irish Tenor Jimmy O'Brien, who completes the song without missing a beat despite the outbreak of a brawl.

⚫
In the film ''[[The Luck of the Irish (1948 film)|The Luck of the Irish]]'' the song is sung by Irish tenor Jimmy O'Brien, who completes the song without missing a beat despite the outbreak of a brawl.


The song was used by the [[Ireland national rugby union team]] at the [[1987 Rugby World Cup]]. It was a compromise choice instead of a national anthem, due to the political situation in [[Northern Ireland]] at the time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/worldcup2007/moments1987.html |title=1987: Phil Orr and Donal Lenihan |work=[[RTÉ]] Sports |accessdate=5 October 2010}}</ref>
The song was used by the [[Ireland national rugby union team]] at the [[1987 Rugby World Cup]]. It was a compromise choice instead of a national anthem, due to the political situation in [[Northern Ireland]] at the time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/worldcup2007/moments1987.html |title=1987: Phil Orr and Donal Lenihan |work=[[RTÉ]] Sports |accessdate=5 October 2010}}</ref>


The Rose of Tralee is referenced in the title track of [[Tom Waits]]' 1985 album ''[[Rain Dogs]].''
The Rose of Tralee is referenced in the title track of [[Tom Waits]]' 1985 album ''[[Rain Dogs]].''
⚫
: "Oh, how we danced with the Rose of Tralee
⚫
: Her long hair black as a raven" <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tomwaits.com/songs/#/songs/song/209/Rain_Dogs |title=Rain Dogs - Lyrics |accessdate=2 May 2013}} </ref>


<blockquote>
⚫
In the film "[[Auntie Mame]]," (1958), Brian O'Bannion ([[Robin Hughes]]) sings the first couplet of "The Rose of Tralee" as he finishes dressing to escort Mame ([[Rosalind Russell]]) to a black tie event to consider optioning the film rights of her autobiography to Warner Brothers. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051383/ |title=Auntie Mame (1958) |work=Internet Movie Database |publisher=[[IMDb.com]] |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804125227/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051383/ |archivedate=2014-08-04 |accessdate=2014-08-26 }}</ref>
⚫
"Oh, how we danced with the Rose of Tralee<br />
⚫
: Her long hair black as a raven" <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tomwaits.com/songs/#/songs/song/209/Rain_Dogs |title=Rain Dogs - Lyrics |accessdate=2 May 2013}}</ref>
</blockquote>


⚫
In the film ''[[Auntie Mame (film)|Auntie Mame]]'' (1958), Brian O'Bannion ([[Robin Hughes (actor)|Robin Hughes]]) sings the first couplet of "The Rose of Tralee" as he finishes dressing to escort Mame ([[Rosalind Russell]]) to a black tie event to consider optioning the film rights of her autobiography to Warner Brothers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051383/ |title=Auntie Mame (1958) |work=Internet Movie Database |publisher=[[IMDb.com]] |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804125227/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051383/ |archivedate=2014-08-04 |accessdate=2014-08-26 }}</ref>

In the movie ''[[Caddyshack]]'' "The Rose of Tralee" is mentioned by the character Maggie O'Hooligan, played by [[Sarah Holcomb]], while working the dining room with Danny Noonan at Bushwood Country Club:
<blockquote>
Maggie: I know why you came here tonight. <br />
Danny: Why<br />
Maggie: That girl. Listen, I'd put that idea right out of your mind. She's been plucked more times than the Rose of Tralee. Biggest whore on Fifth Avenue, I'm told!
</blockquote>
==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://martindardis.com/id248.html Guitar chords lyrics and video of The Rose of Tralee]
*[http://martindardis.com/id248.html Guitar chords lyrics and video of The Rose of Tralee]

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Rose Of Tralee}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rose Of Tralee}}

Latest revision as of 23:42, 23 June 2023

"The Rose of Tralee" is a nineteenth-century Irish ballad about a woman called Mary, who because of her beauty was called The Rose of Tralee. The Rose of Tralee International Festival had been inspired by the ballad.

The words of the song are credited to Edward Mordaunt Spencer and the music to Charles William Glover, but a story circulated in connection with the festival claims that the song was written by William Pembroke Mulchinock, out of love for Mary O'Connor, a poor maid in service to his family.[1]

In 2019 the Rose of Tralee International Festival, as part of their 60th Anniversary living history promotion, employed the services of Dr. Andrea Nini, a forensic linguist working on cases of disputed authorship. His report concluded[2] that a poem written by Tralee poet William Pembroke Mulchinock called Smile Mary My Darling was published and passed off by Edward Mordaunt Spencer in 1846 in his book of poetry The Heir of Abbotsville.[3] This poem was adapted into a poem called The Rose of Tralee with the air being re-set by Charles William Glover from one of his previous ballads.[2]

Lyrics

[edit]
The pale moon was rising above the green mountain,
The sun was declining beneath the blue sea;
When I strayed with my love to the pure crystal fountain,
That stands in the beautiful Vale of Tralee.
She was lovely and fair as the rose of the summer,
Yet 'twas not her beauty alone that won me;
Oh no, 'twas the truth in her eyes ever dawning,
That made me love Mary, the Rose of Tralee.
The cool shades of evening their mantle were spreading,
And Mary all smiling was listening to me;
The moon through the valley her pale rays was shedding,
When I won the heart of the Rose of Tralee.
Though lovely and fair as the Rose of the summer,
Yet 'twas not her beauty alone that won me;
Oh no, 'twas the truth in her eyes ever dawning,
That made me love Mary the Rose of Tralee.
In the far fields of India, 'mid war's dreadful thunders,
Her voice was a solace and comfort to me,
But the chill hand of death has now rent us asunder,
I'm lonely tonight for the Rose of Tralee.
She was lovely and fair as the rose of the summer,
Yet 'twas not her beauty alone that won me;
Oh no, 'twas the truth in her eyes ever dawning,
That made me love Mary, The Rose of Tralee [4]
[edit]

The song was sung by John McCormack in the film Song o' My Heart (1930).
In the film The Informer (1935), it is sung by Denis O'Dea.[5]
Gordon MacRae sings the song in the film The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady (1950).[6]

Bing Crosby recorded the song on 17 July 1945 for Decca Records with John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra[7] and it was included in his album St. Patrick's Day.

It was sung by the cast at the end of the play Thirst (1942) by Flann O'Brien.

In the film The Luck of the Irish the song is sung by Irish tenor Jimmy O'Brien, who completes the song without missing a beat despite the outbreak of a brawl.

The song was used by the Ireland national rugby union team at the 1987 Rugby World Cup. It was a compromise choice instead of a national anthem, due to the political situation in Northern Ireland at the time.[8]

The Rose of Tralee is referenced in the title track of Tom Waits' 1985 album Rain Dogs.

"Oh, how we danced with the Rose of Tralee

Her long hair black as a raven" [9]

In the film Auntie Mame (1958), Brian O'Bannion (Robin Hughes) sings the first couplet of "The Rose of Tralee" as he finishes dressing to escort Mame (Rosalind Russell) to a black tie event to consider optioning the film rights of her autobiography to Warner Brothers.[10]

In the movie Caddyshack "The Rose of Tralee" is mentioned by the character Maggie O'Hooligan, played by Sarah Holcomb, while working the dining room with Danny Noonan at Bushwood Country Club:

Maggie: I know why you came here tonight.
Danny: Why
Maggie: That girl. Listen, I'd put that idea right out of your mind. She's been plucked more times than the Rose of Tralee. Biggest whore on Fifth Avenue, I'm told!

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Rose of Tralee Story". Rose of Tralee website. Archived from the original on 24 July 2010. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  2. ^ a b International Festival, Rose of Tralee (25 August 2019). "Smile Mary My Darling for the Rose of Tralee". Rose of Tralee International Festival. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  3. ^ Spencer, Edward Mordaunt (1846). The Heir of Abbotsville: A Poem in Four Cantos on Men & Manners of the Nineteenth Century, Together with Other Miscellaneous Poems. Published by the author. p. 15. Retrieved 26 September 2019. The Heir of Abbotsville.
  4. ^ "The Rose of Tralee lyrics". Rose of Tralee website. Archived from the original on 17 August 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  5. ^ "Internet Movie Database". imdb.com. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  6. ^ "Internet Movie Database". imdb.com. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  7. ^ "A Bing Crosby Discography". BING magazine. International Club Crosby. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  8. ^ "1987: Phil Orr and Donal Lenihan". RTÉ Sports. Retrieved 5 October 2010.
  9. ^ "Rain Dogs - Lyrics". Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  10. ^ "Auntie Mame (1958)". Internet Movie Database. IMDb.com. Archived from the original on 4 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
[edit]
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