Rosalie - Michael Tarry, 1973

She was a ballet dancer
With the grace of a dove
She would dance up above in the other room
I would invite her down to tea
But she never would agree
She didn’t like my way of doing things - it’s not her way

And when the music played
Like arrows in your heart
Bleeding from the start she meant everything
Make the answer lie within
And your troubles not begin
Can you make it that way for me

Rosalie, Rosalie can I sing you a song
And tell you all my secrets
And tell you all my thoughts
There’s nothing I’d like better
And there’s nothing I would not do
For you, Rosalie

Of all the things we talked about
It would never come across
You would always get so cross and ruin everything
You know I tried my very best
When I did it pleased you less
There’s no use in trying anymore

Rosalie, Rosalie can I sing you a song
And tell you all my secrets
And tell you all my thoughts
There’s nothing I’d like better
And there’s nothing I would not do
For you, Rosalie

(repeat)

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Michael Tarry McDermott was born in Manchester, England and currently resides in Marmora (population 1671), Ontario. He came to Canada in the late '60's and was signed to Columbia Records for the release of one single in 1969 - All That I Love. This did not chart and Tarry was soon without a label.

Fortunately, he signed with WEA Records in 1973, and soon had a career-defining hit with the song Rosalie. This peaked the week of July 7, 1973, at position #12 on the CHUM Charts.

This song has a special place in my memory, as it underscores one of my most special years: 1973. That summer, I headed up north to be a Junior Ranger in Windy Lake Provincial Park; leaving home for the first time. There were only two radio stations servicing Levack, Ontario back then (and one was a country station...) Maybe it was because this song was all over the air waves in July, or maybe I was seventeen and the whole world was at my feet - I'm not sure - but this song is permanently etched in my long-term memory.