Monday 8 February 2016
Tune of the Day: The Rose of Allandale
Traditional English tune, arranged for flute trio
“The Rose of Allendale” is an English song, with words by Charles Jefferys and music by Sidney Nelson, composed in the 1840s. Many people, however, mistakenly believe it to be a traditional Irish song, as it has been sung by many prominent Irish folk singers. Sometimes it is also believed to be a Scottish song.
The song lyrics are about a maiden from the town of Allendale, Northumberland; in love songs, a rose, regarded as a beautiful and romantic flower, is often the fairest maiden of a region or village.
The present arrangement for three flutes is taken from Blake's Young Flutist's Magazine, published in 1833.