This is a traditional Irish folk tune from the mid-nineteenth century. The song is sung from the point of view of a young man who chances to meet a charming lady by the name of Rosie McCann, referred to as the “star of the County Down.” From the brief encounter the writer’s infatuation grows until, by the end of the ballad, he imagines wedding the girl. Charles Johnston, a former band director from Monroe Louisiana, and member of the 2nd Louisiana String Band, arranged it for Civil War era brass band. 1st Nebraska’s performance is from the Iowa Municipal Band Festival on July 11, 2015.
1st Nebraska Volunteers Brass Band 