Bittersweet Symphony
Broken Rose Lyrics


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Words cannot describe its beauty as upon the stem it grows
Matchless in its glory, the tender little rose
When its petals are broken, its greatest beauty it shows
For sweeter the fragrance of the broken Rose

The most beautiful Rose was broken one day
Nailed to a tree on a hill far away
Forsaken by His friends, bruised by His foes
How sweet is the fragrance of heaven's sweet Rose

But on the third day, that Rose again did bloom
Now to the heights of heaven, down to the deepest hell
The fragrance of heaven's Rose continually dwells

The most beautiful Rose was broken one day

Nailed to a tree on a hill far away




Forsaken by His friends, bruised by His foes
How sweet is the fragrance of heaven's sweet Rose

Overall Meaning

Broken Rose's song Bittersweet Symphony appears to be a commentary on the beauty of vulnerability and the transformative power of pain. The lyrics are rich in metaphor, comparing the act of breaking a rose to the process of revealing its true potential. The fragrant scent of a broken rose is seen as sweeter and more powerful than that of an intact flower, suggesting that the act of exposing one's innermost self can lead to a greater sense of beauty and authenticity.


The reference to the "most beautiful Rose" being broken and nailed to a tree on a hill far away is likely a Biblical allusion to the crucifixion of Jesus. Here, the songwriter emphasizes the idea that even the most perfect and divine beings can experience suffering and pain. However, the song's conclusion brings hope to this message, suggesting that even after experiencing great suffering, we can rise again and become even more beautiful and powerful than before.


Overall, Broken Rose's Bittersweet Symphony is a poignant reflection on the complex nature of beauty and pain, inviting listeners to embrace the transformative power of vulnerability and find hope in the face of adversity.


Line by Line Meaning

Words cannot describe its beauty as upon the stem it grows
The beauty of the rose is indescribable as it grows on the stem


Matchless in its glory, the tender little rose
The rose is incomparable in its beauty, delicate and beautiful


When its petals are broken, its greatest beauty it shows
The rose's broken petals reveal its true beauty


For sweeter the fragrance of the broken Rose
The scent of the broken rose is even sweeter


The most beautiful Rose was broken one day
The most beautiful rose was broken one day


Nailed to a tree on a hill far away
The rose was nailed to a tree on a faraway hill


Forsaken by His friends, bruised by His foes
The rose was abandoned by his friends and hurt by his enemies


How sweet is the fragrance of heaven's sweet Rose
The smell of the rose symbolizing heaven is very sweet


But on the third day, that Rose again did bloom
On the third day, the rose bloomed again


Now to the heights of heaven, down to the deepest hell
The fragrance of the rose reaches both the highest heaven and the deepest hell


The fragrance of heaven's Rose continually dwells
The fragrance of the rose from heaven continues to reside everywhere




Contributed by Layla T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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