Album: Black Rose - A Rock Legend (1979)

License This Song 

• Tell me the legends of long ago
  When the kings and queens would dance in the realm of the Black Rose
  Play me the melodies I want to know
  So I can teach my children, oh
  
  Pray tell me the story of young Cuchulainn
  How his eyes were dark his expression sullen
  And how he'd fight and always won
  And how they cried when he was fallen
  
  Oh tell me the story of the Queen of this land
  And how her sons died at her own hand
  And how fools obey commands
  Oh tell me the legends of long ago
  
  Where the mountains of Mourne come down to the sea
  Will she no come back to me
  Will she no come back to me
  Oh Shenandoah I hear you calling
  
  Far away you rolling river
  Roll down the mountain side
  On down on down go lassie go
  Oh Tell me the legends of long ago
  
  When the kings and queens would dance in the realms of the Black Rose
  Play me the melodies so I might know
  So I can tell my children, oh
  My Roisin Dubh is my one and only true love
  
  It was a joy that Joyce brought to me
  While William Butler waits
  And Oscar, he's going Wilde
  Ah sure, Brendan where have you Behan?
  
  Looking for a girl with green eyes
  My dark Rosaleen is my only colleen
  That Georgie knows Best
  But Van is the man
  
  Starvation once again
  Drinking whiskey in the jar-o
  Synge's Playboy of the Western World
  As Shaw, Sean I was born and reared there
  
  Where the Mountains of Mourne come down to the sea
  Is such a long, long way from Tipperary Writer/s: DP, GARY MOORE, PHILIP PARRIS LYNOTT
  Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 4

• Nick from Ireland The provisional IRA was not started by an Englishman, the provisional IRA was founded in 1969 due to a split in the IRA. Lynott may have technically been born in England but was an Irishman. As his mother was Irish, he could have claimed Irish citizenship if he lived in England and never set foot in Ireland, as it was he was raised in Ireland. As he said himself: When I'm in England, I say, I'm from Ireland. When I'm in Ireland, I say, I'm from Dublin. When I'm in Dublin, I say, I'm from Crumlin. When I'm in Crumlin, I say, Leighlin Road. When I'm in Leighlin Road, I say, I'm a Lynott." Roisin Dubh is a 16th century poem and the name was a metaphor for Ireland.
• AnonymousHi Paul - If they danced upon the black rose before the English came how can the colour black signify English tyranny if it was a black rose before they got there??
• Roddie from Waterford, IrelandA third irony in Lynott's life was to be the death of him; he had been lined up to play Hendrix in a biopic; Lynott bore a striking facial resemblance to the legendary guitarist.
• Paul from Dublin, IrelandThis great song is about Ireland. Roisín Dúbh, or Black Rose, is an ancient name for Ireland, the Rose symbolising the beauty of the land, the Black symbolising the tyranny of the English Occupation. The line 'When the kings and queens were dancing around on the Black Rose' is a reference to Ireland before the English came. he mentions many old Irish heroes, including Cuculain, a legendary Celtic warrior. Although Philo was born in England, he was a proud Irishman. The line from the same song 'Ah sure Seán, I was born and raised there' is a reference to this. He was also a big Manchester United fan, and was actually once bought a £5 share in the club as a birthday present. Today he's still recognised as one of the great Irish singer/songwriters, and his music is as popular today as ever.

More Songfacts:

It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)R.E.M.

"It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" was inspired by a dream where Michael Stipe conjured up images of people with the initials L.B.: Lester Bangs, Leonid Breshnev, Lenny Bruce and Leonard Bernstein.

Live Like You Were DyingTim McGraw

Tim McGraw recorded "Live Like You Were Dying" just two weeks after his own father passed away.

HeartbeatDon Johnson

Don Johnson, who starred as Sonny Crockett in Miami Vice, was also a singer. He had a #5 hit in 1986 with "Heartbeat."

Black StarAvril Lavigne

Avril Lavigne has a perfume named after her song "Black Star." It smells much better than her Sk8er Boi scent, which reeks of Axe body spray and road grime.

We're An American BandGrand Funk

"We're An American Band" by Grand Funk describes real events on their 1972 tour, including an encounter with a legendary groupie called "Sweet Connie."

Doctor My EyesJackson Browne

A problem with his eyes gave Jackson Browne the idea for "Doctor My Eyes," which became a song about a man whose mental health suffers when he sees the world for what it really is.

Editor's Picks

Booker T. JonesSongwriter Interviews

The Stax legend on how he cooked up "Green Onions," the first time he and Otis Redding saw hippies, and if he'll ever play a digital organ.

00s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

Do you know the girl singer on Eminem's "Stan"? If so, this quiz is for you.

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Bass Player Scott EdwardsSong Writing

Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

The FratellisSongwriter Interviews

Jon Fratelli talks about the band's third album, and the five-year break leading up to it.