diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/pianoroll_midi_view.cc b/gtk2_ardour/pianoroll_midi_view.cc
index b2111f0518..9f51ad1ceb 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/pianoroll_midi_view.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/pianoroll_midi_view.cc
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@
 #include "canvas/button.h"
 #include "canvas/canvas.h"
 #include "canvas/debug.h"
+#include "canvas/text.h"
 
 #include "editing_context.h"
 #include "editor_drag.h"
@@ -723,3 +724,33 @@ PianorollMidiView::clear_selection ()
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+void
+PianorollMidiView::set_overlay_text (std::string const & str)
+{
+	if (!overlay_text) {
+		overlay_text = new ArdourCanvas::Text (_note_group->parent());
+		Pango::FontDescription font ("Sans 18");
+		overlay_text->set_font_description (font);
+		overlay_text->set_color (0xff0000ff);
+	}
+
+	overlay_text->set (str);
+	show_overlay_text ();
+}
+
+void
+PianorollMidiView::show_overlay_text ()
+{
+	if (overlay_text) {
+		overlay_text->show ();
+	}
+}
+
+void
+PianorollMidiView::hide_overlay_text ()
+{
+	if (overlay_text) {
+		overlay_text->hide ();
+	}
+}
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/pianoroll_midi_view.h b/gtk2_ardour/pianoroll_midi_view.h
index 9896e1a6dc..c3bd7123fe 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/pianoroll_midi_view.h
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/pianoroll_midi_view.h
@@ -86,10 +86,15 @@ class PianorollMidiView : public MidiView
 
 	sigc::signal<void> AutomationStateChange;
 
+	void set_overlay_text (std::string const &);
+	void hide_overlay_text ();
+	void show_overlay_text ();
+
   protected:
 	bool scroll (GdkEventScroll* ev);
 
 	ArdourCanvas::Rectangle* automation_group;
+	ArdourCanvas::Text* overlay_text;
 
 	typedef std::shared_ptr<PianorollAutomationLine>  CueAutomationLine;
 	typedef std::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::AutomationControl>  CueAutomationControl;