“Red is the Rose” is a traditional song that holds a cherished spot in the heart of Irish music. Today we’ll learn the chords to this song that carries both a captivating melody and a deeply resonant story, it paints a poignant picture of love and separation. It’s a song I’ve been playing for years and in this post, we’ll delve into the song’s history, lyrics, and chords. I’ll help you learn how to play this beautiful piece of music in DADGAD guitar tuning.
DADGAD is an alternative guitar tuning that can bring out the intricate harmonies and unique tonal qualities of a song, particularly in traditional Irish music. By exploring Red is the Rose in DADGAD, we can impart a richer, more resonant sound to the piece, while also discovering new chord voicings that help to highlight the melody. In doing so, I hope to provide you with the tools and knowledge necessary to add depth and versatility to your own renditions of this song.
To master the Red is the Rose chords in DADGAD tuning, it’s essential to familiarize ourselves with the specific chord shapes, fingerings, and progressions. As we delve into this process, we’ll gain a greater understanding of how the chords interact with one another, ultimately blending to produce the distinct sound and emotion that this song is known for. By honing our skills in DADGAD, we’ll not only refine our interpretation of Red is the Rose but also develop a broader, more versatile approach to playing traditional Irish tunes.
Before we learn the chords, let’s get the melody in our ear. Here’s my own version of the song in full…
How to Play Red is the Rose
We’re going to learn “Red is the Rose”, in DADGAD tuning. This will provide a unique sound to the traditional melody. This tuning is popular in Irish and Celtic music and allows for more distinct chord voicings. By using DADGAD tuning, we can achieve a more open, resonant sound on our guitar, which complements the melody and harmony of the song. If DADGAD is completely new to you, check out the DADGAD Chords: Unlocking Your Guitar’s Full Potential post. That will give you a really solid grounding, and prepare you to take on this song.
DADGAD Chord Progressions
The melody of “Red is the Rose” is a beautiful and recognizable Irish tune that evokes a sense of longing and love. We can support this melody as guitarists with a complementing chord progression. We want to use chords that help to harmonize the melody while adding depth and emotion to the song. By following the chord progression and full video tutorial below, we can learn how to play this song and effectively accompany the vocal performance.
Verse:
D Bm Em G
Red is the rose that in yonder garden grows,
D D G A
And fair is the lily of the valley.
G F#m G G
Clear is the water that flows from the Boyne
D G Em D
But my love is fairer than any.
Chorus:
D Bm Em G
Come over the hills, my bonnie Irish lass
D D G A
Come over the hills to your darling.
G F#m G G
You take the road, and I'll make a vow
D G Em D
That I'll be your true love forever.
Red is the Rose Chords
Here are the chords for the first part of the song that I go through in the DADGAD song tutorial above. Use the chord diagrams below to follow along. Make sure each chord is ringing out clearly without muted notes before moving on. Start slow, get your fingers used to the shapes and then build up the speed with time. Nail down this progression before moving on to the next section.
Red is the Rose Chords Part 2
Here are the chords for the second part of the song. Once you have these learned, link them up with the chords from the first section and you’ll have the whole song learned off. Take your time, listen to the song’s melody while playing, and after a while the muscle memory will kick in and stringing it all together will become second nature to you.
Learning and Playing Tips
Suggested Techniques
Learning “Red is the Rose” in DADGAD tuning can be a rewarding experience for guitarists looking to expand their skills. Now that we’ve familiarised ourselves with the guitar chords we can try to play them along with a recording of the song. And as you become more comfortable, start to experiment with different fingerpicking or strumming patterns to develop your own style. Here are some techniques I recommend for playing “Red is the Rose”:
- Hammer-ons and pull-offs: These can add some flair to your playing and make the chords stand out (See tutorial video above)
- Alternate picking: This technique can help you play the melody more smoothly and efficiently.
- Palm muting: This technique can add a percussive and rhythmic element to your strumming.
- Experimenting with tempo: Try playing the song at different speeds to see which suits your style best.
- Adding your own embellishments: Feel free to add your own unique touches to the chords and melody to make the cover truly yours.
- Incorporating vocals: If you’re not a singer, push yourself out of your comfort zone and give it a try!
As long as you stay true to the original spirit of the song, don’t be afraid to add your own creative spin. By learning and playing “Red is the Rose,” you’re not only expanding your repertoire but also honing your skills and increasing your confidence as a guitarist. Remember to practice regularly and develop your muscle memory. Gradually, you’ll begin to master this beautiful song
History of ‘Red Is the Rose’
Traditional Origin
The writer of the song is unknown, but the melody is borrowed from the classic Scottish folk song, “Loch Lomond“. This illustrates a common practice in folk music of reusing and adapting melodies from one song to another.
“Loch Lomond” is one of the most famous traditional songs of Scotland and is believed to date back to the Jacobite Rebellion in 1745, although it wasn’t published until the 19th century. The song, like “Red is the Rose,” speaks of love and loss, with its lyrics referencing the beautiful Scottish landscape around Loch Lomond.
The reuse of the “Loch Lomond” melody for “Red is the Rose” highlights the close cultural connections between Scotland and Ireland. It’s not uncommon to find traditional songs in one country that have counterparts in another, especially in regions with shared cultural and historical ties. This practice of adapting melodies and even lyrics from other songs contributes to the rich tapestry of folk music, continually evolving and being reinvented through each generation.
Red is the Rose Lyrics
Verses and Chorus
The lyrics of the song tell a simple love story that is rich in imagery and emotion and has a sad, wistful ending. The lovers start by swearing love and eternal devotion in the first two verses, but by the final verse, they must part ways. The reason for their separation isn’t clear in most modern versions of the song.
Red is the rose that in yonder garden grows
And fair is the lily of the valley
Clear is the water that flows from the Boyne
But my love is fairer than any
Come over the hills, my bonny Irish lass
Come over the hills to your darling
You take the road, and I’ll make a vow
That I’ll be your true love forever
Red is the rose that in yonder garden grows
And fair is the lily of the valley
And clear is the water that flows from the Boyne
But my love is fairer than any
It was down by Killarney’s green woods we strayed
When the moon and the stars they were shining
The moon shone its rays on her locks of golden hair
And she swore she’d love me forever
Red is the rose that in yonder garden grows
And fair is the lily of the valley
And clear is the water that flows from the Boyne
But my love is fairer than any
It’s not for the parting that my sister pains
It’s not for the grief of my mother
It’s all for the loss of my bonny Irish lass
That my heart is breaking forever
Red is the rose that in yonder garden grows
And fair is the lily of the valley
And clear is the water that flows from the Boyne
But my love is fairer than any
Red is the rose that in yonder garden grows
And fair is the lily of the valley
Clear is the water that flows from the Boyne
But my love is fairer than any
Yes my love is fairer than any
Notable Recordings
Over the years, numerous talented artists have performed and recorded their own renditions of Red is the Rose. One of the earliest known recordings dates back to 1934 by Josephine Beirne and George Sweatman who recorded the song under the title “My Bonnie Irish Lass.” The final verse in this version reveals that the reason for the lovers’ separation is the emigration of the woman, possibly with her entire family, “Is leaving old Ireland forever“. It has been recorded with great success by several major artists, including Nanci Griffith with The Chieftains. Here are some other notable recordings:
Makem and Clancy
Liam Clancy and Tommy Makem were the first artists to bring “Red is the Rose” to a worldwide audience. Makem learned the song from his mother, Sarah, who was a well-known singer and folk song collector from Armagh in Northern Ireland. Makem recorded the song on his “Songbag” album in 1990.
The High Kings
“Red is the Rose” has recently seen a resurgence in popularity, thanks to recordings by artists like The High Kings. Their video performance on has received close to 6 million views on Youtube to date.
The Irish tenor Anthony Kearns also recorded a version during a performance at the John F. Kennedy Library in 2012, dedicating the song to Rose Kennedy, the mother of President Kennedy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Red is the Rose” is more than just a song—it’s a journey through time and a narrative that carries with it the essence of Irish history. Its poignant story of love, loss, and emigration touches the heart of anyone who hears it. As you explore its melodies in DADGAD tuning, master its chord progressions, and incorporate the tips and techniques shared in this post, you’ll come to appreciate the depth and beauty of this timeless piece. The song’s ties to “Loch Lomond,” its evolution and adaptations, and its notable recordings all add to the richness of its legacy.
After singing this song I was once told: “Remember, you’re not just playing a song – you’re partaking in a rich tradition and keeping a piece of Irish heritage alive. You’re creating your own rendition and passing it on.” That was a nice thing to think about, so I thought I’d share it here… Happy playing!
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If you’re interested in learning more about traditional Irish music, check out our blog post on the “Welcome Poor Paddy Home“
Finally, I’d would love to know: What is your experience with “Red is the Rose”? Have you played or sung it before, and what does it mean to you? Join the conversation in the comments section below.
