The Rose of Tralee Lyrics

William Pembroke Mulchinock wrote the Rose of Tralee lyrics in honor of his true love Mary O'Connor. Being a domestic servant of his parents, Mary and William were never allowed to marry, and after an unfortunate event which made William a suspect in a murder, he left Ireland for India from where he was able to clear his name.

Upon returning to Ireland to claim Mary as his own, he witnessed a funeral procession. After he learned it was Mary, he joined in and followed along, returning home, he wrote this following tribute in her honor.

The pale moon was rising above the green mountains,
The sun was declining beneath the blue sea,
When I strayed with my love by the pure crystal fountain,
That stands in the beautiful Vale of Tralee.

She was lovely and fair as the rose of the summer,
Yet 'twas not her beauty alone that won me.
Oh no, 'twas the truth in her eyes ever dawning
That made me love Mary, the Rose of Tralee.

The cool shades of evening their mantle were spreading,
And Mary all smiling was listening to me.
The moon through the valley her pale rays was shedding,
When I won the heart of the Rose of Tralee.

She was lovely and fair as the rose of the summer,
Yet 'twas not her beauty alone that won me.
Oh no, 'twas the truth in her eyes ever dawning
That made me love Mary, the Rose of Tralee.

In the far fields of India 'mid war's dreadful thunders,
Her voice was solace and comfort to me.
But the chill hand of death has now rent us asunder,
I'm lonely tonight for the Rose of Tralee.

She was lovely and fair as the rose of the summer,
Yet 'twas not her beauty alone that won me.
Oh no, 'twas the truth in her eyes ever dawning
That made me love Mary, the Rose of Tralee.

Buy it on CD or an MP3 download:

Purchase the Sheet Music

Many more Irish song lyrics and Irish music lyrics can be found here:

Saint Patrick, Apostle of Ireland Saint Patrick History