> June Tabor > Songs > Rose in June

Rose in June (Let It Be Early, Late or Soon)

[ Roud 1202 ; Ballad Index CoSB256 ; words Bob Copper, music trad.]

Bob Copper sang this song on his 1977 album Sweet Rose in June: Countryside Songs from the South. And June Tabor sang it on her CD Rosa Mundi. According to the sleeve notes, her tune was collected by Ella Mary Leather, Weobley, Herefordshire, in 1907.

There is another, completely different ballad also called The Rose in June where it is the name of a fishing smack. Louis Killen sang it unaccompanied as title track of his 1989 cassette, The Rose in June.

Lyrics

June Tabor sings Rose in June

Was down in the valley, the valley so deep,
To pick some plain roses to keep my love sweet.

Chorus (after each verse):

Let it be early, late or soon,
I will enjoy my rose in June,
Rose in june, rose in June,
I will enjoy my rose in June.

Now I will lead my flock to the fold,
Let it be hot or let it be cold.

Nuw I will cut the sweet myrtle tree
To build a bower for my love and me.

But roses in June are never so sweet
As kisses can be when true lovers meet.