Mairghread na Róiste

X:7990
T:Mairghread na Róiste
T:Margaret Roche
B:Joyce, P. W.; "Old Irish Folk Music and Songs"
R:song air
H:Bunting gives two settings of this air, which he calls Róisín dubh
H:(The Little Black Rose).  But it is universally known all over Munster as
H:Mairghread na Róiste: and I believe that Bunting has given it a wrong
H:name.  The air called Róisin dubh, which is known, not only in Munster,
H:but all over Ireland, is entirely different.  It will be found in Petrie's
H:Ancient Music of Ireland, in a major setting; and in my "Irish Music and
H:Song," in its proper minor setting.  The setting I give here of Mairghread
H:na Róiste differs a good deal from both Bunting's settings of the air he
H:(wrongly) calls Róisin Dubh.  It is more purely vocal.  It has remained in
H:my memory since boyhood, with the first verse of the Irish song, which tells
H:a sad story.  Margaret Roche was condemned to be burned alive for murder.
H:On her condemnation her brother set out post haste for Dublin and was
H:successful in obtaining a reprieve, but arrived home just an hour too late.
H:He then composed a lament of which I give the first verse.
W:A Mháirghréad, a Mháirghréad, a Mháirghréad, na Róiste
W:Na g-croibhne geala, na bh-fínnighe órdha:
W:Do bhi duine a's fichid a láthair do phósda,
W:A's ní'l éinne beó a bhaineas leat, a láthair do dhóighte.
W:
W:O, Margaret, Margaret, Margarte Roch
W:Of the white hands, of the golden ringlets:
W:There were one and twenty people at your wedding;
W:And no one living belonging to you at your burning.
L:1/8
M:3/4
K:C
"Slow and sad."\
d3/4c//A/G/|A2 A2 BG|A2 A2 cd|f2 f2 ed|e3 dcA|
f2 f2 ed|e2 e>d cA|d2 d2 e>d|d3 c A3/2 A/|
f2 f2 ed|e2 e>d cA|c2 c2 e>d|d3 c A ((3A/B/c/)|
d2 d2 cA|f2 e>d cA|G2 A2 A2|A4 A2||

Alternative sources for this tune:

• trillian.mit.edu/~jc/music/abc/mirror/OTIS_Irish_Session/melnets_big_abc_file/07990
• trillian.mit.edu/~jc/music/abc/mirror/melnets_big_abc_file/07990
• trillian.mit.edu/~jc/music/abc/mirror/melodeon.net/melnets_big_abc_file/07990

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