My Wild Irish Rose
(Chauncey Olcott)
My Wild Irish Rose
by Chauncey Olcott
“ My Wild Irish Rose ” is probably the most famous song Irish-American Chauncey Olcott churned out. The inspiration for this solo composition was revealed by his wife Margaret after his death. On a visit to his mother’s homeland in 1898, a young boy gave her a flower. When she asked him what it was called he replied “…a wild Irish Rose.” She put the flower in an album, and later when her husband asked her for suggestions for a song title she opened the album, pointed to it and said: “There’s the title for your new song.” The ballad went into A Romance Of Athlone the following year, and the sheet music was published by the New York firm Witmark.
Lyrics
My Wild Irish Rose
Of a flower that’s now dropped and dead,
Yet dearer to me, yes than all of its mates,
Though each holds aloft its proud head.
Twas given to me by a girl that I know,
Since we’ve met, faith I’ve known no repose.
She is dearer by far than the world’s brightest star,
And I call her my wild Irish Rose.
My wild Irish Rose, the sweetest flower that grows.
You may search everywhere, but none can compare with my wild Irish Rose.
My wild Irish Rose, the dearest flower that grows,
And some day for my sake, she may let me take the bloom from my wild Irish Rose.
They may sing of their rose, which by other names,
Would smell just as sweetly, they say.
But I know that my Rose would never consent
To have that sweet name taken away.
Her glances are shy when e’er I pass by
The bower where my true love grows,
And my one wish has been that some day I may win
The heart of my wild Irish Rose.
My wild Irish Rose, the sweetest flower that grows.
You may search everywhere, but none can compare with my wild Irish Rose.
My wild Irish Rose, the dearest flower that grows,
And some day for my sake, she may let me take the bloom from my wild Irish Rose.
Songwriters: Chauncey Olcott
