The Flower of Sweet Strabane—19th c. Traditional Ulster Unrequited Love Ballad

According to Sam Henry's “Songs of the People” (1928) and other information I found, this song is based on the actual unrequited love of a Draper for his employer's daughter, Martha Ramsay, “The Flower of Sweet Strabane.” This song dates from c. 1846 and was first published in a Derry newspaper by Dan MacAnaw in 1909.

Johnny Moynihan states in the liner notes for the Irish folk music group De Dannan's album “Selected Jigs Reels and Songs” that the song is popular throughout Ireland but is especially popular along the border of County Donegal and County Tyrone, where the town of Strabane is located. Johnny Moynihan, who sings this version, states that he intentionally leaves out the fourth stanza, in which the Draper decides to leave his unrequited love in Ireland to get a fresh start in life in America, in order to emphasize the hopes of the lovestruck man and relish the moment in song.

"The Flower of Sweet Strabane" sung by Johnny Moynihan of the Irish folk music group De Dannan. Music of Ulster.

Lyrics:

If I were King of Ireland
And all things at my will
I'd roam through all creations
New comforts to find still
And the comfort I would seek the most
As you might understand
Is to win the heart of Martha
The flower of sweet Strabane

Her cheeks they are a rosy red
Her hair a lovely brown
And o'er her milk white shoulders
It carelessly hangs down
She's one of the fairest creatures
In the whole of Ireland
And my heart is captivated by
The flower of sweet Strabane

If I had you lovely Martha
Away in Innisowen
Or in some lonesome valley
In the wild woods of Tyrone
I would use my whole endeavour
To try to work my plan
For to gain the prize and feast my eyes
On the flower of sweet Strabane

But I'll go o'er the Lagan
Down by the steam ships tall
I'm sailing for Amerikay
Whatever may be fall
My boat is bound for Liverpool
Right by the Isle of Man
So I'll say farewell, God bless you
My flower of sweet Strabane