> The Watersons > Songs > Norma Waterson: Flower of Sweet Strabane

Flower of Sweet Strabane

[ Roud 2745 ; Ballad Index HHH224a ; trad.]

Norma Waterson sang Flower of Sweet Strabane in 2000 on her third solo album Bright Shiny Morning and on the Topic sampler The Folk Awards 2001. She was accompanied by Julian Goodacre, Leicestershire smallpipes, Martin Carthy, guitar, banjo, and Ben Ivitsky, viola, tenor guitar.

Norma Waterson said in the Bright Shiny Morning sleeve notes:

Sort of from Margaret Barry. I first heard Margaret Barry in Ken Colyer's Jazz Club in 1957 the first time I went to London. She opened her mouth, struck on her banjo and I was lost.

Lyrics

Norma Waterson sings Flower of Sweet Strabane

As I rode out one evening being in the month of May
Down by a shady garden I carelessly did stray
I spied a lovely fair maiden as you can understand
Aye and they called her lovely Martha the Flower of Sweet Strabane

Were I the king of Erin's isle and had all things at my will
I'd roam for recreation few comforts to find still
But the comfort I would look for as you can understand
Is for to win the heart of Martha the Flower of Sweet Strabane

Her cheeks are like the roses red her hair is a lovely brown
And o'er her milk-white shoulders in ringlets it hangs down
She's one of the fairest creatures in the whole Milesian* clan
And my heart is captivated by the Flower of Sweet Strabane

I wish I had my darling way down in Inisowen
Or in some lonesome valley in the wild woods of Tyrone
I would do my endeavour and I would work my plan
All for to gain the heart of Martha the Flower of Sweet Strabane

I've often been to Phoenix Park and to Killarney's fair
In blithe and bonny Scotland on the winding banks of Ayr
And yet in all of my travelling I never met that one
That could compare with Martha the Flower of Sweet Strabane

Farewell bonny Lifford and to Mourne's sweet Waterside
For I am bound for America whatever may betide
Sailing down Lough Foyle brave boys I'll wave my bonny white hand
Aye and I'll bid adieu to my Martha the Flower of Sweet Strabane

*Milesian. Of Milesius, a mythical king of Spain, or his sons and their followers who seized Ireland: Irish, an Irishman (usu. jocular). [Chambers]

Acknowledgements

Transcription by Garry Gillard. Many thanks for help with the words to Noreen.