Story Behind The Song
"Down in the Willow Garden", also known as "Rose Connelly" is a traditional Appalachian murder ballad about a man facing the gallows for the murder of his lover: he gave her poisoned wine, stabbed her, and threw her in a river. It originated in the 19th century, probably in Ireland, before becoming established in the United States. My version uses some of the various lyrics (which are public domain) and my own original music.
| Song Length |
1:50 |
Genre |
Folk - Alternative, World - Celtic |
| Tempo |
Slow (71 - 90) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Gloomy, Troubled |
Subject |
Murder, Rape, Dysfunctional Relations |
| Similar Artists |
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Johnny Cash |
Language |
English |
| Era |
1800 - 1899 |
| |
Lyrics
Down in the willow garden,
Me and my love did meet.
And as we sat a-courtin'
My love fell off to sleep.
I had a bottle of burgundy wine
And my love she did not know
And so I poisoned little girl
Along the banks below.
I drew a sabre through her
Which was a bloody night
I threw her in the river
Which was a dreadful sight.
My father told me
That money would set me free
And so I murdered that little girl
Whose name was Rose Connolly
My father sits at his cabin door.
Wiping his tear-dimmed eyes
His only son should walk
To yonder scaffold high
My race is run beneath the sun
And the scaffold waits for me
For I did murder that dear little girl
Whose name was Rose Connolly.