Synopsis

The broadside opens with the account of Sir James the Rose's love for a lady named Matilda, how her family tried to marry her off, and how he killed her brother for spying on them.

The Child version merely opens with the news that Sir James the Rose killed a squire and asked his leman to hide him.

In both versions, the woman tells him where to spend the night and eventually betrays him to those seeking him for the death. He is killed, and she, repenting of her deed, dies of grief.

Versions

• Steeleye Span
  Steeleye Span
  Steeleye Span are an English folk-rock band, formed in 1969 and remaining active today. Along with Fairport Convention they are amongst the best known acts of the British folk revival, and were among the most commercially successful, thanks to their hit singles "Gaudete" and "All Around My Hat"....
  
  recorded a version of this song on the album Rocket Cottage. It can also be found on the collection Original Masters.

External links

• Sir James the Rose
• Sir James the Rose as a broadside