Finvola, the Gem of the Roe

DESCRIPTION: "In the land of O'Cahan... Deep sunk in a valley a wild flower did grow, And her name was Finvola, the gem of the Roe." A young man in tartan comes and falls in love with her. Now she is dead (?); the locals grieve
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1938 (Sam Henry collection)
KEYWORDS: death love
FOUND IN: Ireland
REFERENCES (1 citation):
Henry/Huntingdon/Herrmann-SamHenrysSongsOfThePeople H786, pp. 139-140, "Finvola, the Gem of the Roe" (1 text, 1 tune)
Roud #2291
NOTES [31 words]: Yes, this song (or at least the Henry text) is as confusing as the description implies. It's not clear what the young man is introduced for, nor even if Finvola dies or is stolen away. - RBW
File: HHH786

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