Rose Of Alabama
Words & Music:
Antebellum American [see
note]
Jay Buckey has some great
arrangements of this song on his site.
It was also featured in the film The Outlaw Josie Wales. There are several attributions for the
lyrics & music to this song. Per
Mudcat discussion: "Turner
& Fisher"; "Words by S. S. Steele - Music n/a" "Publication: Boston: Geo. P. Reed, 17 Tremont Row 1846"; "Songsheet H.
De Marsan (or Masran), No. 38 Chatham Street, N.Y. [n.d.]"; and a version
called "Fantasia & Variations on the Ethiopian Air 'The Rose Of
Alabama', op. 2" by "Theod. Von La Hache (Philadelphia: A. Fiot, 1846)". Suffice it to say, this song is
antebellum, but more than that cannot be ascertained.
G
D G
Away from Mississippi's vale,
with my ol' hat there for a sail,
G
D G
I crossed upon a cotton bale
to Rose of Alabamy.
CHORUS:
C
Oh, brown Rosie, Rose of
Alabamy.
G
D G
A sweet tobacco posey is the
Rose of Alabamy.
G
D
G
A sweet tobacco posey is the
Rose of Alabamy.
I landed on the
far sand bank, I sat upon the hollow plank,
And there I made
the banjo twank ["twang"] for Rose of Alabamy.
CHORUS:
Oh, arter d'rectly
bye and bye, the moon rose white as Rosie's eye,
Den like a young
coon out so sly, stole Rose of Alabamy.
CHORUS:
I said, "Sit
down just where you please'" & upon my lap she took her ease.
"It's good to
go upon the knees," said Rose of Alabamy.
CHORUS:
The river rose, the cricket
sang; the lightnin' bug it flashed itŐs wang.
Then, like a rope, my arms I
flang 'round Rose of Alabamy.
["wang" =
"wing" & "flang" = "fling"]
CHORUS:
We hugged, how
long I cannot tell; my Rosie seemed to like it well.
My banjo in the
river fell. Oh, Rose of Alabamy.
CHORUS:
Like alligator
after prey, I jump in but it float away,
And all the while
it seem to say, "Oh Rose of Alabamy."
CHORUS:
Now, every night
come rain or shower, I hunt that banjo for an hour;
And see my sweet
tobacco flower. Oh, Rose of
Alabamy.
CHORUS:
Oh, fare thee well, you belles
of Spain and fare thee well to Liza Jane.
Your charms will all be put to
shame By Rose of Alabamy.
CHORUS: