Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
Sir James the Ross (Child No. 213 Appendix) / Sir James the Rose (Child No. 213) - Sung by John Myrick of St. Shott's, Newfoundland, Canada. Recorded by MacEdward Leach in 1951.
Notes by Kevin W.:
"Sir James the Ross, A Historical Ballad" is a literary ballad thought to have been composed by Michael Bruce (1746-1767) and printed in the Weekly Magazine or Edinburgh Amusement, September 20, 1770, IX, 371-73.
It is a retelling of the older traditional ballad of "Sir James the Rose" (Child 213) in a much more stilted, literary style. "James the Ross" enjoyed more popularity with traditional singers than the original ballad it was based on. It has been found both in Scotland and in Canada with little variation in words and tune.
The original recording and song transcription can be found here:
mmap.mun.ca/folk-songs-of-atlantic-canada/performances/227
Sir James the Ross (Child No. 213 Appendix) / Sir James the Rose (Child No. 213) - Sung by John Myrick of St. Shott's, Newfoundland, Canada. Recorded by MacEdward Leach in 1951.
Notes by Kevin W.:
"Sir James the Ross, A Historical Ballad" is a literary ballad thought to have been composed by Michael Bruce (1746-1767) and printed in the Weekly Magazine or Edinburgh Amusement, September 20, 1770, IX, 371-73.
It is a retelling of the older traditional ballad of "Sir James the Rose" (Child 213) in a much more stilted, literary style. "James the Ross" enjoyed more popularity with traditional singers than the original ballad it was based on. It has been found both in Scotland and in Canada with little variation in words and tune.
The original recording and song transcription can be found here:
mmap.mun.ca/folk-songs-of-atlantic-canada/performances/227
