The Rose
Bette Midler Lyrics
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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 iconic song "The Rose" explores the various facets of love, and how it can be perceived differently by different people. The first stanza of the song highlights the differing opinions on love - some believe it to be a powerful force that can take hold of you and leave you vulnerable and bleeding, while others view it as an insatiable thirst that can never be quenched. However, the singer of the song has her own interpretation of love - she sees it as a delicate flower, and the object of her love as the only seed worthy of being planted and nurtured.
The next stanza delves deeper into the fears that come along with love - the fear of heartbreak, the fear of failure, and the fear of giving oneself completely to another. People who are unable to overcome these fears are portrayed as unable to fully experience love and all that it has to offer, leading to a life unfulfilled.
However, the final stanza of the song brings a message of hope - even when all seems lost and the odds are against you, there is still a seed of love that lies dormant within you, waiting for the right conditions to bloom into something beautiful. With the sun's love and warmth, this seed can grow and blossom into a rose, a symbol of love and hope.
Overall, "The Rose" is a powerful and emotive exploration of the different facets of love, and the importance of overcoming fears to fully experience it.
Line by Line Meaning
Some say love, it is a river
Love is often compared to a river that can overwhelm the fragile plants growing by its side.
That drowns the tender reed
Love can sometimes be overpowering and consume weaker individuals.
Some say love, it is a razor
Love can be likened to a sharp instrument, leaving wounds and scars on those who experience it.
That leaves your soul to bleed
Love can hurt deeply and cause emotional pain and suffering.
Some say love, it is a hunger
Love can be intense and feel like a constant craving or longing.
An endless aching need
Love can create a constant desire for another person, making it difficult to be satisfied without them.
I say love, it is a flower
The singer sees love as something beautiful and delicate, like a flower.
And you, its only seed
The lover is compared to the seed that grows into a flower, representing the potential for love to bloom and grow.
It's the heart afraid of breaking
People may avoid love because of a fear of being hurt or rejected.
That never learns to dance
Those who shy away from love may never fully experience the joy and beauty of life.
It's the dream afraid of waking
People may avoid love to preserve a perfect vision of it in their mind, without risking disappointment from reality.
That never takes the chance
Those who avoid love completely may never have the opportunity to grow and experience the beauty of life.
It's the one who won't be taken
People who resist love and refuse to take a chance at experiencing it may miss out on many of life's true joys.
Who cannot seem to give
Those who resist love may find it difficult to form deep connections with others or show vulnerability.
And the soul afraid of dying
People who fear death may also fear loving deeply, knowing that death is a natural part of life.
That never learns to live
Those who avoid love may not fully experience the richness and beauty of life.
When the night has been too lonely
During difficult and lonely times, love can provide comfort and support.
And the road has been too long
After a journey that feels challenging or never-ending, love can provide rejuvenation and hope.
And you think that love is only
When someone feels like all hope is lost, it's easy to believe that love is only for a select few.
For the lucky and the strong
Love can seem unattainable to those who feel weak and unlucky.
Just remember in the winter
Even in times of hardship and struggle, love is still present and waiting to be rediscovered.
Far beneath the bitter snows
Love persists even when it seems hidden or dormant, like a delicate seed hiding beneath snow and ice.
Lies the seed that with the sun's love
Just as a seed needs warmth and sunlight to grow, love needs care and attention to flourish.
In the spring becomes the rose
After a period of cold and darkness, love has the potential for incredible beauty and growth, like a rose blooming in the spring.
Lyrics © 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