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:

Watching The WheelsJohn Lennon

In the late '70s, John Lennon slowed his roll, becoming a househusband who baked bread and took care of his young son Sean. This inspired his song "Watching The Wheels," where he discovers the benefits of taking it easy.

Take My Breath AwayBerlin

"Take My Breath Away" from Top Gun was a huge hit for Berlin, but lead singer Terri Nunn was the only band member to perform on it. This caused friction that broke up the group a year later.

ContagiousThe Isley Brothers

The Isley Brothers became the first group to score a Top 50 hit in six consecutive decades when their song "Contagious" peaked at #19 in 2001. Their first entry was their song "Shout" in 1959.

I Missed AgainPhil Collins

Phil Collins' "I Missed Again" was originally "I Miss You, Babe," and was a very somber song about his recent divorce. Collins decided to lighten it up and inject some humor into the song.

I Kissed a GirlKaty Perry

Katy Perry's breakout hit, "I Kissed A Girl," was surprising to those familiar with her past: Her parents were pastors and she started off singing Christian music.

Try AgainAaliyah

Until December 5, 1998, a song had to be issued as a single to make the Hot 100. Aaliyah's "Try Again" was the first tune to top the chart based on airplay alone, without any sales figures being included.

Editor's Picks

Dino Cazares of Fear FactorySongwriter Interviews

The guitarist/songwriter explains how he came up with his signature sound, and deconstructs some classic Fear Factory songs.

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

TV Theme SongsFact or Fiction

Was a Beatles song a TV theme? And who came up with those Fresh Prince and Sopranos songs?

Elton JohnFact or Fiction

Does he have beef with Gaga? Is he Sean Lennon's godfather? See if you can tell fact from fiction in the Elton John edition.