Rose of Allandale

Ambiguity comes partly due to the popular belief that the English song lyrics are about a maiden from the town of Allendale, Northumberland.

In the British tradition of love songs, the rose is regarded as a beautiful and romantic flower.

Similarly, in Phil the Fluther's Ball by Percy French, we find "The flower of Ardmagullion, and the pride of Pethravore."

[2] The Rems song is a soldier's farewell to his beloved, reflecting the unstable times of war.

The song was also recorded by the popular Scottish folk singers The Corries,[3] and the Irish band The Dubliners (e.g. on their 1987 album 25 Years Celebration)[4] as well as in bagpipe versions, e.g. Grampian Police Pipe Band on their album Pipes and Drums of Scotland, song no.