Makem is often credited as having written the classic Irish ballad "Red is the Rose". Many believe that he wrote the song's lyrics and set them to the tune of "The Bonnie Banks o' Loch Lomond". This, however, is not true. The song is completely traditional. In fact, Makem indicated in the linear notes to his "Songbag" CD that his mother, Sarah, sang it to him when he was a child.