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
Old Rosin the Beau "Old Rosin the Beau" begins with the following verse: The lyrics, as arranged by J. C. Beckell in 1838, are as follows: The original folk song, "Rosin the Bow" begins as follows: Both the tune and early lyrics for "Rosin the Bow" are traditional (with no known author). In 1838, the variation "Old Rosin the Beau" was published as a "Comic Song Dedicated to the Members of the Falcon Club by the Publisher" (Ld. Meignen & Co.), arranged by J. C. Beckell. Several US presidential campaign songs were set to the tune of "Old Rosin the Beau", including for William