Ray bega… Read Full Bio ↴Barbara Ray is a South African singer originally from Scotland.
Ray began singing with the Scottish Group the Sundowners. Moving to South Africa she had chart success with singles such as "I Don't Wanna Play House", "Like I Do" and "Funny Face". She was awarded multiple Gold disks such as for "Silver Threads and Golden Needles", and "Down The Mississippi".
In 1976 together with Bobby Angel she won a SARIE for vocal group and in 1979 together with Lance James she won the same award.
Rose Garden
Barbara Ray Lyrics
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I never promised you a rose garden
Along with the sunshine
There's gotta be a little rain some time
When you take you gotta give so live and let live
Or let go
I beg your pardon
I could promise you things like big diamond rings
But you don't find roses growing on stalks of clover
So you better think it over
Well if sweet-talking you could make it come true
I would give you the world right now on a silver platter
But what would it matter
So smile for a while and let's be jolly
Love shouldn't be so melancholy
Come along and share the good times
While we can
I beg your pardon
I never promised you a rose garden
Along with the sunshine
There's gotta be a little rain some time
I beg your pardon
I never promised you a rose garden
I could sing you a tune and promise you the moon
But if that's what it takes to hold you
I'd just as soon let you go
But there's one thing I want you to know
You'd better look before you leap
Still waters run deep
And there won't always be someone there
To pull you out
And you know what I'm talking about
So smile for a while and let's be jolly
Love shouldn't be so melancholy
Come along and share the good times
While we can
I beg your pardon
I never promised you a rose garden
Along with the sunshine
There's gotta be a little rain some time
The song "Rose Garden" by Barbara Ray is about the realities of love and relationships. In the song, the singer apologizes for not being able to promise their partner a perfect and easy life, represented by a "rose garden." They acknowledge that life is not always sunshine and happiness; there will be difficult times represented by "a little rain." The singer encourages their partner to live and let live, knowing that in any relationship, there must be give and take.
The singer also acknowledges the reality that although they could promise their partner material things such as big diamond rings, those things are not what love and relationships are made of. They encourage their partner to look before they leap into any situation and take responsibility for their own actions, as "still waters run deep" and one cannot always rely on someone else to pull them out.
Overall, the lyrics of "Rose Garden" convey a message of love and acceptance while acknowledging the complexities and realities of relationships. The singer encourages their partner to enjoy the good times while they can, even if there are some bumps along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
I beg your pardon
I apologize
I never promised you a rose garden
Life is not always easy and trouble-free
Along with the sunshine
Good things and happiness come with bad things and sadness
There's gotta be a little rain some time
We have to embrace the bad times too
When you take you gotta give so live and let live
In a relationship, you have to compromise and accept the other person's flaws
Or let go
If it's not working, it's better to break up and move on
I could promise you things like big diamond rings
I could buy you material things, but they won't bring happiness
But you don't find roses growing on stalks of clover
You can't expect everything to be perfect
So you better think it over
Think about what really matters in life
Well if sweet-talking you could make it come true
If I could charm my way into giving you everything you want
I would give you the world right now on a silver platter
I would do anything to make you happy
But what would it matter
Material things don't bring lasting happiness
So smile for a while and let's be jolly
Let's enjoy the good times while we can
Love shouldn't be so melancholy
Love should be happy and fulfilling
Come along and share the good times
Let's create happy memories together
While we can
Life is short, so let's enjoy it
I could sing you a tune and promise you the moon
I could serenade you and make big promises
But if that's what it takes to hold you
But if that's what I have to do to keep you with me
I'd just as soon let you go
I would rather you leave than fake it
But there's one thing I want you to know
I have to tell you something important
You'd better look before you leap
Think before you act
Still waters run deep
Things are not always what they seem
And there won't always be someone there
You can't always rely on others
To pull you out
To rescue you
And you know what I'm talking about
You understand what I mean
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
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