"The Rose of Tralee" is a nineteenth-century Irish

ballad A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of the popular poetry and song of Great Britain and Ireland from the Late Middle Ages until the 19th century. They were widely used across Eur ...

about a woman called Mary, who because of her beauty was called ''The Rose of

Tralee Tralee ( ; , ; formerly , meaning 'strand of the River Lee') is the county town of County Kerry in the south-west of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. The town is on the northern side of the neck of the Dingle Peninsula, and is the largest town in ...

''. 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. 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 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''. 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.

Lyrics

: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

Popular culture

The song was sung by John McCormack in the film ''

Song o' My Heart ''Song o' My Heart'' is a 1930 Pre-Code American film directed by Frank Borzage and starring John McCormack, Alice Joyce, Maureen O'Sullivan, Effie Ellsler and John Garrick. It was O'Sullivan's second film role. The film was double-shot in ...

'' (1930).
In the film '' The Informer'' (1935), it is sung by Denis O'Dea.
Gordon MacRae sings the song in the film '' The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady'' (1950).

Bing Crosby Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby Jr. (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American singer, comedian, entertainer and actor. The first multimedia star, he was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century worldwi ...

recorded the song on 17 July 1945 for Decca Records with

John Scott Trotter John Scott Trotter Jr. (June 14, 1908 – October 29, 1975), also known as "Uncle John", was an American arranger, composer and orchestra leader. Trotter was best known for conducting the John Scott Trotter Orchestra which backed singer and ...

and his Orchestra and it was included in his album ''

St. Patrick's Day Saint Patrick's Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick (), is a religious and cultural holiday held on 17 March, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick (), the foremost patron saint of Ireland. Saint Patrick's Day was made an official Chri ...

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

Flann O'Brien Brian O'Nolan (; 5 October 19111 April 1966), his pen name being Flann O'Brien, was an Civil Service of the Republic of Ireland, Irish civil service official, novelist, playwright and satirist, who is now considered a major figure in twentieth- ...

. 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 The Ireland national rugby union team is the men's representative national team for the island of Ireland in rugby union. The team represents both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Ireland competes in the annual Six Nations Champio ...

at the

1987 Rugby World Cup The 1987 Rugby World Cup was the first Rugby World Cup. It was co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia – New Zealand hosted 21 matches (17 pool stage matches, two semi-finals, the third-place play-off and the final) while Australia hosted 11 mat ...

. It was a compromise choice instead of a national anthem, due to the political situation in

Northern Ireland Northern Ireland ( ; ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, part of the United Kingdom in the north-east of the island of Ireland. It has been #Descriptions, variously described as a country, province or region. Northern Ireland shares Repub ...

at the time. The Rose of Tralee is referenced in the title track of

Tom Waits Thomas Alan Waits (born December 7, 1949) is an American musician, composer, songwriter, and actor. His lyrics often focus on society's underworld and are delivered in his trademark deep, gravelly voice. He began in the American folk music, fo ...

' 1985 album ''

Rain Dogs ''Rain Dogs'' is the ninth studio album by American singer-songwriter Tom Waits, released in September 1985 on Island Records. A loose concept album about "the urban dispossessed" of New York City, ''Rain Dogs'' is generally considered the middl ...

.''

"Oh, how we danced with the Rose of Tralee
: Her long hair black as a raven"

In the film ''

Auntie Mame ''Auntie Mame: An Irreverent Escapade'' is a 1955 novel by American author Patrick Dennis chronicling the madcap adventures of a boy, Patrick, growing up as the Ward (law), ward of his Aunt Mame Dennis, the sister of his dead father. The book i ...

'' (1958), Brian O'Bannion ( Robin Hughes) sings the first couplet of "The Rose of Tralee" as he finishes dressing to escort Mame (

Rosalind Russell Catherine Rosalind Russell (June 4, 1907November 28, 1976) was an American actress, model, comedian, screenwriter, and singer,Obituary '' Variety'', December 1, 1976, p. 79. known for her role as fast-talking newspaper reporter Hildy Johnson in ...

) to a black tie event to consider optioning the film rights of her autobiography to Warner Brothers. In the movie ''

Caddyshack ''Caddyshack'' is a 1980 American sports comedy film directed by Harold Ramis, written by Brian Doyle-Murray, Ramis and Douglas Kenney, and starring Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight (his final film role), Michael O'Keefe and Bill ...

'' "The Rose of Tralee" is mentioned by the character Maggie O'Hooligan, played by

Sarah Holcomb Sarah Holcomb is an American former actress. Her first role was in '' National Lampoon's Animal House'' (1978) as Clorette DePasto, the daughter of Mayor Carmine DePasto (portrayed by Cesare Danova). Following ''Animal House'', she appeared ...

, 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

External links

Guitar chords lyrics and video of The Rose of Tralee
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rose Of Tralee Irish songs 19th-century songs Rose of Tralee 1930s in Irish music