The Bonny Bunch of Roses facts for kids

"The Bonny Bunch of Roses" is a traditional folk song. It was written by someone from the British Isles, probably with Irish feelings. The song is about a conversation between Napoleon's son and his mother, Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma. It shows sympathy for Napoleon but also love for Britain.

The oldest known music for this song was written down in 1881 by William Christie. There is also another older tune from Ireland. The song is a chat between Napoleon's son, Napoleon II (who was called King of Rome when he was born), and his mother, Marie Louise. She was Napoleon's second wife. The song suggests that Napoleon lost because he didn't "beware of the 'bonny bunch of roses'." This phrase means England, Scotland, and Ireland, whose unity is very strong.

What is This Song About?

The song tells a story through a conversation. It's between Napoleon's son and his mother. The son wants to be a great leader like his father. He dreams of winning battles and taking over the "bonny bunch of roses." His mother warns him. She reminds him that his father, Napoleon, was defeated. She tells him to be careful of the strong unity of England, Scotland, and Ireland.

The Story Behind the Song

During the 18th and 19th centuries, Ireland was connected to Britain in a way that wasn't always fair. Because of this, Irish people had mixed feelings about Napoleon Bonaparte. Many thousands of Irish soldiers fought in the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars. They fought bravely against Napoleon.

However, Napoleon knew that some people in Ireland were unhappy with British rule in Ireland. This was similar to how people in his home, Corsica, felt about French rule. So, Napoleon decided to support an Irish rebellion in 1798. This uprising was inspired by ideas of equality from the Age of Enlightenment. It was a brave effort but it failed.

Because of this, some Irish people admired Napoleon's courage. They were also interested in his story, even when he lost. The song also shows the sad love story between Napoleon and his second wife, Marie Louise. Her words in the song tell the story of Napoleon's downfall. On the other hand, the song also highlights the unity of the English, Scots, and Irish. This suggests that soldiers from these three nations felt a shared British identity against France and Napoleon.

The Song's Words

Here are the words from the 1881 version of the song:

Near by the swelling ocean,

One morning in the month of June,

While feather'd warbling songsters

Their charming notes did sweetly tune,

I overheard a lady

Lamenting in sad grief and woe,

And talking with young Bonaparte

Concerning the bonny Bunch of Roses, O.

Thus spake the young Napoleon,

And grasp'd his mother by the hand:-

"Oh, mother dear have patience,

Till I am able to command;

I'll raise a numerous army,

And through tremendous dangers go,

And in spite of all the universe,

I'll gain the bonny Bunch of Roses, O."

Oh, son, speak not so venturesome;

For England is the heart of oak;

Of England, Scotland, and Ireland,

The unity can ne'er be broke.

And think you on your father,

In the Island where he now lies low,

He is not yet interred in France;

So beware of the bonny Bunch of Roses, O.

Your father raised great armies,

And likewise kings did join the throng;

He was so well provided.

Enough to sweep the world along.

But when he went to Moscow,

He was o'erpower'd by drifting snow;

And though Moscow was blazing

He lost the bonny Bunch of Roses, O.

"Oh, mother, adieu for ever,

I am now on my dying bed,

If I had liv'd I'd have been brave

But now I droop my youthful head.

And when our bones do moulder,

And weeping-willows o'er us grow,

Its deeds to bold Napoleon

Will stain the bonny Bunch of Roses, O."

Who Has Sung This Song?

Many artists have recorded this song. Some famous versions include those by the Chieftains (with Dolores Keane singing), De Dannan, Fairport Convention, and Glen Campbell. Other singers who have recorded it are Harry Cox, Ewan MacColl, Cyril Poacher, Séamus Ennis, Nic Jones, Séan Garvey, Maddy Prior, and June Tabor (with the Oysterband). John Wesley Harding has also sung it. Bob Dylan played Paul Clayton's version on his radio show.