Description
BLACK ROSE ALBUM COVER
NOW AVAILABLE AS A STUNNING CANVAS PRINT!
Philip wanted me to try to create, quite literally, a ‘black rose’ for the cover of the album of the same title. It was really difficult as I wanted more than just a rose, I wanted something that reflected Philip’s love of the poem ‘Dark Rosaleen’ by James Clarence Mangan: ‘Oh, there was lightning in my blood, my Dark Rosaleen!’
This was a song about the yearning for liberty from English rule and Philip knew it by heart (well, almost) and I added the final touch just as I was about to finish.
By the way: Roísín Dubh translates as Dark Rose (aka Dark Rosaleen)’
Another poem was the inspiration for the blood coming from the rose; it was a famous religious poem by one of the leaders executed in 1916 after the Easter uprising titled’ I see his blood upon the rose’, by Joseph Mary Plunkett.
Philip was electrified when he saw the final result and he rang me: ‘Jaysus, Jim, you have me sussed! It’s just like I imagined it but better. Effin brilliant!
anthony & leyla (verified owner) –
The Little Black Rose Shall Be Red At Last
Because we share our sorrows and our joys
And all your dear and intimate thoughts are mine
We shall not fear the trumpets and the noise
Of battle, for we know our dreams divine,
And when my heart is pillowed on your heart
And ebb and flowing of their passionate flood
Shall beat in concord love through every part
Of brain and body—when at last the blood
O’erleaps the final barrier to find
Only one source wherein to spend its strength
And we two lovers, long but one in mind
And soul, are made one only flesh at length;
Praise God if this my blood fulfils the doom
When you, dark rose, shall redden into bloom.
— Joseph Mary Plunkett (1887-1916)