Rose of May
Erutan Lyrics


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Her heart underneath
Cries quietly
This part of me
I choose not to see

What lives must I take
For fealty′s sake?
How much blood must stain
This warrior's blade?

War leaves its trail
In moonlight so pale
Its shadows they flow
In rivers, in rivers
So put on my mask
I′ll go where they ask
So I might once again see the
Roses of May

Staining my soul and stinging my eyes
The red on my hands
Won't wash away, wash away
No where to run from what I have done
I'm no longer, no longer
A Rose of May

Fate holds the blade before you
Mirrored in maiden′s eyes
Far from myself I fly
Into the perilous skies
And they said
Follow the blade before you
Fear fall and courage rise
Leave all your tears behind you
Far from where innocence lies

Cage of the kings
No need for wings
So turn them to stone
From roses to bone

When you look at me
What do you see?
This costume I weave
Disfiguring me...

War leaves its trail
In moonlight so pale
Its shadows they flow
In rivers, in rivers
So put on my mask
I′ll go where they ask
So I might once again see the
Roses of May

Staining my soul and stinging my eyes
The red on my hands
Won't wash away, wash away
No where to run from what I have done
I′m no longer, no longer
A Rose of May

Storm clouds are creeping closer
Danger is drawing near
Why am I not protecting all that
I once held dear?
And you said
Break free from all that holds you
Kings hand and maiden's tear
Run now into my arms
Together we′ll conquer our fears

Led here by fate
No longer afraid




So here now I lay
My Roses of May

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Erutan's song "Rose of May" explore themes of inner conflict, the consequences of war, and the loss of innocence. It portrays the emotional turmoil of a warrior who is torn between duty and the desire to maintain their purity.


In the first verse, the singer acknowledges the hidden pain within their heart, but deliberately chooses to ignore it. This suggests a conscious effort to suppress their inner emotions and vulnerability. They question the necessity of taking lives in the name of loyalty, pondering the amount of bloodshed that stains their blade. This reflects the internal struggle between their role as a warrior and the consequences it brings.


The chorus encapsulates the singer's feelings of guilt and regret. The red on their hands symbolizes the blood they have shed, and they find that it cannot be washed away. They feel trapped with nowhere to escape the burden of their actions, realizing that they are no longer the innocent "Rose of May." The repeated mention of the "Roses of May" implies a longing for a peaceful and innocent past, which has now been irreversibly tainted by the harsh realities of war.


The second verse introduces the concept of fate and the reflection of one's true self in the eyes of a maiden. Despite the danger that surrounds them, the singer finds themselves flying away from who they once were. They are urged to follow their path, letting go of their fears as they leave their tears and innocence behind.


The bridge portrays the singer feeling trapped, comparing themselves to a cage of kings. They feel the need to hide their true identity and protect themselves from further harm. The costume they weave serves as a metaphor for the façade they put on to hide their true emotions, distorting their true self.


The chorus is repeated, emphasizing the singer's struggle with their guilt and inability to escape the consequences of their actions. The mention of storm clouds drawing closer and danger approaching suggests an impending doom or a crisis that requires protection. The singer questions why they have not been able to protect what they once held dear, further fueling their inner conflict.


The final verse depicts the singer finally surrendering to fate and no longer being afraid. They willingly lay down their burden, symbolized by the metaphorical laying of their "Roses of May." The song ends with a sense of acceptance and a willingness to face the challenges ahead, possibly finding solace or redemption in their journey.


Line by Line Meaning

Her heart underneath
Hidden beneath her exterior, her heart is filled with emotions


Cries quietly
Her heart silently weeps


This part of me
Referring to her inner turmoil and struggles


I choose not to see
She deliberately avoids facing her internal conflicts


What lives must I take
She questions the lives she must end


For fealty's sake?
In loyalty and obedience to a higher cause


How much blood must stain
She ponders the amount of blood that must be shed


This warrior's blade?
Referring to her own weapon and role as a warrior


War leaves its trail
The aftermath of war is evident


In moonlight so pale
The faint moonlight reveals the scars of war


Its shadows they flow
The darkness of war spreads


In rivers, in rivers
Symbolizing the continuous flow of pain and suffering


So put on my mask
She disguises her true self


I'll go where they ask
She obediently goes where she is instructed to


So I might once gain see the
In order to rediscover


Roses of May
The beauty and innocence of life


Staining my soul and stinging my eyes
The guilt and sorrow taint her very being


The red on my hands
Symbolizing bloodshed


Won't wash away, wash away
The sins of war cannot be easily cleansed


No where to run from what I have done
She cannot escape the consequences of her actions


I'm no longer, no longer
She has changed, no longer the same person


A Rose of May
No longer embodying innocence and beauty


Fate holds the blade before you
Destiny presents its challenges


Mirrored in maiden's eyes
Reflected in the eyes of an innocent woman


Far from myself I fly
She distances herself from her true self


Into the perilous skies
Venturing into dangerous and uncertain situations


And they said
She recalls the advice given to her


Follow the blade before you
Heed the path set before her


Fear fall and courage rise
Overcome fear and embrace courage


Leave all your tears behind you
Let go of sorrow and emotional baggage


Far from where innocence lies
Leaving behind the purity and naivety of innocence


Cage of the kings
The restrictions and impositions of rulers


No need for wings
She doesn't require freedom or escape


So turn them to stone
Transforming her desires into cold, immovable resolve


From roses to bone
From beauty and life to decay and death


When you look at me
When others gaze upon her


What do you see?
What image or facade do they perceive?


This costume I weave
The persona she fabricates


Disfiguring me...
That distorts her true nature and identity


Storm clouds are creeping closer
The impending danger draws near


Danger is drawing near
The threat approaches


Why am I not protecting all that
She questions her ability to safeguard


I once held dear?
The things that were once precious to her


And you said
Recalling the words someone told her


Break free from all that holds you
Escape the constraints that bind her


Kings hand and maiden's tear
The influence of authority and emotional vulnerability


Run now into my arms
Find refuge and safety


Together we'll conquer our fears
Facing and overcoming fears as a united front


Led here by fate
Destiny has guided her to this point


No longer afraid
She has shed her fear


So here now I lay
She rests and prepares for what lies ahead


My Roses of May
Symbolizing the hopes and desires she holds




Writer(s): Nobuo Uematsu

Contributed by Zoe D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@haydenngo2979

After so many years, I still come back to this song every once in a while. It's just so good.

@user-bu5fg6rz9x

indeed, i do so .....when i want to listen to a good song i come here each couple of months

@joarddelagarza5779

Yes complete strangers..I do the same...with this Art we can connect as humans.

@visnesuyuu

same! its forever one of my all time favs

@jeanvalero1597

I miss her songs greatly. She gave us a wonderful gift.

@nicolaweston6821

I'm the same, I have known this song for years for years and I will keep coming back to it! Do you know who the singer is? Such a beautiful voice, beautiful harmonies :) it's a shame I can't find this version anywhere else xx

13 More Replies...

@m4r_art

I think 99% of people are back here for the same reason. To remember the goodness of those times. The music is a way to connect and bring us to the times that made more sense. We were waiting for a new video of katethegreat19 back then. We are still waiting now. Hope you're doing good and making new music.

@jasperhighwind6119

Yeah, man. I'm in my 40s now, and 'member hearing this for the first time way back when.

@810Lara810

Nah I just like this beat and found this song by accident a year after she made it

@Devlinator61116

@@810Lara810 A year after she made it is still a long time ago now.

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