"The Rose Tree", also known as "Cups And Saucers", "I’ll Cloot My Johnny’s Breeches", "Let’s Pet The Pope", "Little May Cullinane", "Paddy’s Land", "Port Lairgè", "Portlairge" and other names was used as a reel or country dance tune in Scotland by c. 1788, and was still known by that title in the British Isles in the early 20th century when it was collected from morris dance musicians in the village of Brackley, Northamptonshire. It was also used as a hymn tune.
"The Rose Tree" also appears in Riley’s Flute Melodies (New York, 1814).
The first part of the tune has a "pronounced likeness" to "Turkey in the Straw," according to Sandburg, Bayard (1981), Jabbour (1971), and others and is perhaps a progenitor to the family of American tunes known as "(Old) Zip Coon", "Natchez Under the Hill". and "Turkey in the Straw".
The banjo tablature is by John Letscher. His comment:
Played best at a slightly quicker than 120 march tempo. Think of a five string fife and drum corps.
It has been recorded by Steeleye Span and others.
I learned it from Ken Perlman's New England & Irish Fiddle Tunes for Clawhammer Banjo.