This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Tell me the legends of long ago
When the kings and queens would dance
In the realm of the Black Rose
Play me the melodies I want to know
So I can teach my children, oh
Pray, tell me the story of young Cuchulainn
How his eyes were dark his expression sullen
And how he'd fight and always won
And how they cried when he was fallen
Oh, tell me the story of the queen of this land
And how her sons died at her own hand
And how fools obey commands
Oh, tell me the legends of long ago
Where the mountains of Mourne
Come down to the sea
Will she no come back to me?
Will she no come back to me?
Oh Shenandoah, I hear you calling
Far away you rolling river
Roll down the mountain side
On down, on down go Lassie go
Oh, tell me the legends of long ago
When the kings and queens would dance
In the realms of the Black Rose
And play me the melodies so that I might know
And I can tell my children, oh
My Roisin Dubh is my one and only true love
It was a joy, that Joyce brought to me
While William Butler waits
And Oscar, he's going wild
Ah sure, Brendan where have you been?
Looking for a girl with green eyes
My dark Rosaleen is my colleen
That Georgie knows best
But Van is the man
Starvation once again
Drinking whiskey in the jar, oh
Synge's playboy of the western World
As Shaw, Sean I was born and reared there
Where the Mountains of Mourne
Come down to the sea
Is such a long, long way from Tipperary
When the kings and queens would dance
In the realm of the Black Rose
Play me the melodies I want to know
So I can teach my children, oh
Pray, tell me the story of young Cuchulainn
How his eyes were dark his expression sullen
And how he'd fight and always won
And how they cried when he was fallen
Oh, tell me the story of the queen of this land
And how her sons died at her own hand
And how fools obey commands
Oh, tell me the legends of long ago
Where the mountains of Mourne
Come down to the sea
Will she no come back to me?
Will she no come back to me?
Oh Shenandoah, I hear you calling
Far away you rolling river
Roll down the mountain side
On down, on down go Lassie go
Oh, tell me the legends of long ago
When the kings and queens would dance
In the realms of the Black Rose
And play me the melodies so that I might know
And I can tell my children, oh
My Roisin Dubh is my one and only true love
It was a joy, that Joyce brought to me
While William Butler waits
And Oscar, he's going wild
Ah sure, Brendan where have you been?
Looking for a girl with green eyes
My dark Rosaleen is my colleen
That Georgie knows best
But Van is the man
Starvation once again
Drinking whiskey in the jar, oh
Synge's playboy of the western World
As Shaw, Sean I was born and reared there
Where the Mountains of Mourne
Come down to the sea
Is such a long, long way from Tipperary
Lyrics submitted by deathwish, edited by Ulysses1606
Roisin Dubh (Black Rose) A Rock Legend Lyrics as written by Gary Moore Dp
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I know this song is chock full of Irish cultural and literary references. I always wondered though about the line "Looking for a girl with green eyes." Is that a specific reference to something? If so what?
@MydniteSon I think "Looking for a girl with green eyes." Is a reference to the novel The Lonely Girl by Edna O'Brien that was adapted into the film Girl with Green Eyes.