During her career, she has won four Grammy Awards, four Golden Globes, three Emmy Awards, and a Tony Award, and has been nominated for two Academy Awards. She performed a new concert show, The Showgirl Must Go On, live five nights a week at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in 2011 (together with Cher and Elton John).
Rose
Bette Midler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That drowns the tender reed
Some say love, it is a razor
That leaves your soul to bleed
Some say love, it is a hunger
An endless aching need
I say love, it is a flower
And you, its only seed
It's the heart afraid of breaking
That never learns to dance
It's the dream afraid of waking
That never takes the chance
It's the one who won't be taken
Who cannot seem to give
And the soul afraid of dying
That never learns to live
When the night has been too lonely
And the road has been too long
And you think that love is only
For the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter
Far beneath the bitter snows
Lies the seed that with the sun's love
In the spring becomes the rose
Bette Midler's song "The Rose" speaks to the pain and beauty of love. The opening lines of the song, "Some say love, it is a river, that drowns the tender reed/ Some say love, it is a razor, that leaves your soul to bleed/ Some say love, it is a hunger, an endless aching need/ I say love, it is a flower, and you, its only seed" compares love to various elements, with the last line portraying it as something beautiful that needs nurturing in order to grow.
The second set of lines in the chorus, "It's the heart afraid of breaking, that never learns to dance/ It's the dream afraid of waking, that never takes the chance/ It's the one who won't be taken, who cannot seem to give/ And the soul afraid of dying, that never learns to live" describe the fears and anxieties that come with loving deeply. The song urges listeners not to be afraid to take risks in love and to embrace the joy that comes with it.
The final verse, "When the night has been too lonely and the road has been too long/ And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong/ Just remember in the winter, far beneath the bitter snows/ Lies the seed, that with the sun's love in the spring becomes the rose" offers hope and encouragement to those who have experienced heartbreak or feel that love is unattainable. It reminds listeners that love is a journey, and that even in dark times, there is still the potential for something beautiful to bloom.
Line by Line Meaning
Some say love, it is a river, that drowns the tender reed
Love is considered by some to be like a strong river that can overpower and overwhelm the vulnerable.
Some say love, it is a razor, that leaves your soul to bleed
For some people, love can hurt like a sharp blade that cuts into the deepest parts of their being, leaving them wounded.
Some say love, it is a hunger, an endless aching need
To others, love is like an insatiable hunger or desire that can never be fully satisfied, always leaving them wanting more.
I say love, it is a flower, and you, its only seed
Bette Midler believes that love is like a delicate flower that needs care and nurturing, and that the person she loves is the only one who can help it grow.
It's the heart afraid of breaking, that never learns to dance
Sometimes, when we are afraid of getting hurt, we may miss out on the joys of life, like dancing, if we let that fear hold us back.
It's the dream afraid of waking, that never takes the chance
Similarly, if we are too afraid to take risks and pursue our dreams, we may never truly experience the beauty of life.
It's the one who won't be taken, who cannot seem to give
People who are unwilling or unable to accept love and affection from others often struggle to love and give of themselves in return.
And the soul afraid of dying, that never learns to live
Fear of the unknown, like death, can sometimes prevent us from truly living and experiencing all that life has to offer.
When the night has been too lonely and the road has been too long
After a period of feeling lost or alone, it can be hard to imagine finding love or happiness.
And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong
During tough times, it can be easy to feel like love is out of reach for the average person, and is only meant for those who are especially fortunate or resilient.
Just remember in the winter, far beneath the bitter snows
Even when love seems impossible or unlikely, there may still be hope for it to bloom in the future.
Lies the seed, that with the sun's love in the spring becomes the rose
Just like a seed that grows into a beautiful flower with the right care and attention, love can blossom and flourish with time and patience.
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Capitol CMG Publishing, Iricom US Ltd, Broma 16, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Amanda McBroom
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@KRUDDYMUSICIAN
This was the song my grandmother asked me to sing at her funeral in the future.
I want to make sure I sing it perfectly, but I don't want to practice because it will remind me of when the day actually comes.
She's 78 now. I love her to bits.
I just want to do it without crying in the middle of it.
Im just a 20 year old guy.
Ugggggg
@logeyperogi1805
I never knew lyrics could describe me so well until I heard those words
I don’t want to live, and yet I’m too scared to let myself die
Right now, I bear through everything for those who may need me
I’m 17, I sleep with a fucking Teddy bear because I don’t want to feel alone, I act happy because I don’t want people to see me sad, I pretend to love life because I want to convince myself that I don’t want death
17, and I’m feeling all of this, after years of bullying to near suicide, abuse leading to considering running away, loneliness that led to a fear which drove people away
@barbarazuviceh6506
Shortly, The Rose, by Bette Midler , will one selection of music for my sister's memorial.
She loved it, we spoke of it many times and we only changed a few words.
This was back when it first came out.
If you only change one word, at the final line of lyrics it says, "The Seed, That With The Sun's Love, in the Spring Becomes The Rose."
My sister and I changed the words, Sun's Love to , SON'S LOVE.
Our family is a large group of Believers, therefore, we needed to use HIS name.
My sister just passed on the 25th.
Brand new pain, but so honored to be with her and her grandaughter when she breathed her last early breath.
Note: we all greive differently, in our own way, our own timing, but no one can steal the memories and history of one so close.
Be kind to yourself, those left behind from that loved one, God knows it all and will carry you when you can't move under your own strength, wisdom or knowledge.
Much love from my sister, me and our entire family.
Peace.
@heritagekebek9979
To complete the cycle, it must played the day you'll die.
If possible, when you die, at the very moment.
Then... the tape of time will go backward until the flash.
Then... You'll see ;)
That song sang by your mother at birth is a BIG PART
of residual time energies. So much emotions frozen in time
with this song as background. (Trying to explain what will
happen after the flash without telling you the direct answer,
it must be discovered by the concerned person. In that case; you.)
Good point that you shared back the melody/song to your mother.
1st, the link between her and you and 2nd the possitive energies
of the song/melody. Hope she got better.
@lavoxii
Some say love, it is a river, that drowns the tender reed
Some say love, it is a razor, that leaves your soul to bleed
Some say love, it is a hunger, an endless aching need
I say love, it is a flower, and you, its only seed
It's the heart afraid of breaking, that never learns to dance
It's the dream afraid of waking, that never takes the chance
It's the one who won't be taken, who cannot seem to give
And the soul afraid of dying, that never learns to live
When the night has been too lonely and the road has been too long
And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter, far beneath the bitter snows
Lies the seed, that with the sun's love in the spring becomes the rose
@IceJessie
My mom would play this on the piano every once and a while as I grew up. She passed away a few weeks ago at 49. I'm 19 and completely lost without her. I've been practicing this song on the piano so that I can keep that small part of her with me.
@mr.k.9502
I'm so sorry. I can't even imagine losing my own mother. I respect you for the pain you've went through.
@timshunamon6185
My condolences,such a beautiful honor to your Mom 😊😍
@Hard_n_Deep
Big love baby❤️
@Deadseelife
It seems it’s been 9 months since you posted this...but i hope you doing well. I can’t imagine losing a parent at such a young age. I’m so sorry.
@patriciaeastman3269
Be brave...and practice..she ll hear it every time!
@charlotteskaggs3764
My husband picked this song to play at our wedding,, married to the love of my life, over 48 years before I lost him. But it makes me realize just how blessed I was to have him in my life.
@kristyrobinson1979
I am so sorry for your loss.
@charlotteskaggs3764
@@kristyrobinson1979 Thank you
@charlotteskaggs3764
@@kristyrobinson1979 Thank you