Old Rosin the Beau Old Rosin the Beau "Old Rosin the Beau" (or "Rosin the Bow") is an American folk song popular in the 19th century, probably of British or Irish origin, first published in Philadelphia during 1838. An earlier version, "Rosin the Bow" (not "Beau") refers to rosin with the bow of a violin, but both cover the same general subject ("see below:" Full lyrics). There are many variations of the song(s), and the tune has been re-used in other songs for political campaign jingles, slave songs, comedy songs, or other folk songs. Early versions of "Old Rosin the Beau" relate the story
Rosin the surface back to metal. It is frequently seen as a burnt or clear residue around new soldering. A mixture of pitch and rosin is used to make a surface against which glass is polished when making optical components such as lenses. Rosin is added in small quantities to traditional linseed oil/sand gap fillers ("mastic"), used in building work. When mixed with waxes and oils, rosin is the main ingredient of "mystic smoke", a gum which, when rubbed and suddenly stretched, appears to produce puffs of smoke from the fingertips. Rosin is extensively used for its friction-increasing capacity in several