Give Me the Roses [core]

Wonderful things of folks are said
When they have passed away
Roses adorn the narrow bed
Over the sleeping clay

Chorus
Give me the roses while I live
Trying to cheer me on
Useless are flowers that you give
After the soul is gone

Praises are heard not by the dead
Roses they cannot see
Let us not wait till souls have fled
Generous friends to be

Faults are forgiven when folks lie
Cold in the narrow bed
Let us forgive them ere they die
Now should the words be said

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This Song Clip was recorded in the key of G. (Click below to play.)

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100 Core Songs (including Give Me the Roses) plus our acclaimed playing-by-ear learning method.
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222 traditional songs, including Give Me the Roses, in large print. Chords, historical info, jamming hints, and more.
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Five CDs, 100 songs, including Give Me the Roses. Recordings from the Abbott family and their friends.
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A song from the Mountain Music for Everyone Song Collection from the ToneWay Project. Our website has lyrics to nearly 400 traditional songs common in bluegrass and old-time circles. Most songs also include a free MP3 recording that you can listen to. The ToneWay Project also offers songbooks, CDs, and resources for learning to play music by ear. http://ToneWay.com