Ethel Agnes Zimmerman was born in the third floor bedroom of her grandmother's house at 359 4th Avenue in Astoria, Queens. Growing up near Famous Players-Lasky's Astoria Studios, young Ethel often watched the silent movie stars drive by in their massive cars, and she dreamed of joining their ranks one day. Her powerful voice won attention when her family worshipped at Holy Redeemer Episcopal Church, and she began making local concert appearances. She also frequently attended vaudeville performances at The Palace Theater in Manhattan, watching great stars like Fanny Brice and Sophie Tucker.
Ethel's parents Edward (an accountant) and Agnes (a school teacher) understood Ethel's love of singing, but they did not see show business as a reliable career choice for a woman. They insisted that she get a solid education with thorough training in secretarial skills, so she would have something to fall back on if her dreams of stardom didn't pan out. After Ethel graduating William Cullen Bryant High School, she earned a respectable $28 a week as a stenographer for the owner of a local factory. She picked up extra money by singing at private parties and in night clubs. Ethel was so efficient that her indulgent boss (who only came in two days a week) overlooked her taking nap breaks at the office after late night performances. When Ethel's gigs multiplied, her parents accepted the inevitable and allowed her to give up the day job and sing full-time.
Rose's Turn
Ethel Merman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here she is, boys!
Here she is, world!
Here's Rose!
Curtain up!
Light the lights!
Play it, boys!
Ya either got it, or ya ain't.
And, boys, I got it!
Ya like it?
Well, I got it!
Some people got it and make it pay.
Some people can't even give it away.
This people's got it and this people's spreadin' it around!
You either have it
Or you've had it!
Hello, everybody! My name is Rose! What's yours?
How do you like them eggrolls, Mr. Goldstone?
Hold your hats and hallelujah.
Mama's gonna show it to you.
Ready or not, shhh, here comes Mama.
Mama's talkin' loud.
Mama's doin' fine.
Mama's gettin' hot.
Mama's goin' stong.
Mama's movin' on.
Mama's all alone.
Mama doesn't care.
Mama's lettin' loose.
Mama's got the stuff.
Mama's lettin' go.
Mama?
Mama's got the stuff.
Mama's gotta move.
Mama's gotta go.
Mama? Mama?
Mama's gotta let go.
Why did I do it?
What did it get me?
Scrapbooks full of me in the background.
Give 'em love and what does it get ya?
What does it get ya?
One quick look as each of 'em leaves you.
All your life and what does it get ya?
Thanks a lot and out with the garbage,
They take bows and you're battin' zero.
I had a dream.
I dreamed it for you, June.
It wasn't for me, Herbie.
And if it wasn't for me then where would you be,
Miss Gypsy Rose Lee?
Well, someone tell me, when is it my turn?
Don't I get a dream for myself?
Starting now it's gonna be my turn.
Gangway, world, get off of my runway!
Starting now I bat a thousand!
This time, boys, I'm taking the bows and
Everything's coming up Rose!
Everything's coming up roses!
Everything's coming up roses
This time for me!
For me! For me! For me! For me! For me!
For me! Yeah!
I was...trying out for you...New ideas you might wanna use...
You really would have been something, momma!
Do you think so?
If you had someone to push you like I had...
If I could have been...I would have been...
And that's show business!
I guess I did it for me...
Why, momma?
Just wanted to be noticed...
Like I wanted you to notice me!
I still do, momma!
(They embrace each other. Rose cries)
It's OK, momma! OK, Rose!
See... You look like you should speak French!
You're coming to that party with me...
No!
Come on!
Not like this.
Gypsy
Wear my fur I have a stole in my cabinet.
Well, maybe just for an hour or two...
Hey, it looks better on me than it does on you.
Funny how we can both wear the same size!
Specially in mink.
You know...I had a dream last night. There was a big poster of a other and daughter, like the
Covers of the ladies magazines...
Yes, momma!
Only it was you and me wearing exactly the same gowns. It was an add for Minsky, and the headline
Said: "MADAM ROSE...AND HER DAUGHTER GYPSY".
The song "Rose's Turn" is a powerful solo from the musical "Gypsy" that is sung by the lead character, Rose, after her daughter leaves her. The song begins with Rose basking in the glory of her own talent, proclaiming "ya either got it, or ya ain't. And, boys, I got it!" She then reflects on the futility of her efforts to make it in show business, lamenting that even when you give everything you have, all you get in return is a fleeting moment of acknowledgement before being forgotten. However, in the end, Rose decides that it's finally her turn to shine and she imagines a future where everything is coming up roses.
The song is a powerhouse showcase for the performer playing Rose and has become one of the most memorable moments in musical theatre history. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of Rose's journey from a hopeful young woman to a bitter and desperate has-been, and her ultimate realization that she deserves to be in the spotlight. The song is a complex mix of bravado, regret, and hope, and the performer must be able to convey each of these emotions with authenticity and depth.
Line by Line Meaning
Rose
Rose is here and ready to perform
Curtain up!
The show is about to start, get ready
Light the lights!
The stage lights are turning on to start the show
Play it, boys!
The band should start playing the music
Ya either got it, or ya ain't.
Either you have talent or you don't, there's no in-between
And, boys, I got it!
I have talent and I know it
Ya like it?
Do you enjoy seeing me perform?
Well, I got it!
I am confident in my talent and ability to perform
Some people got it and make it pay.
Some people with talent are able to make a good living
Some people can't even give it away.
Some people with talent struggle to make a name for themselves
This people's got it and this people's spreadin' it around!
I have talent and I am sharing it with the audience
You either have it or you've had it!
You are either talented or you have lost your talent
Hello, everybody! My name is Rose! What's yours?
Introducing herself to the audience
How do you like them eggrolls, Mr. Goldstone?
Asking Mr. Goldstone how he likes the food
Hold your hats and hallelujah.
Get ready for an awesome performance
Mama's gonna show it to you.
I am going to show off my talent
Ready or not, shhh, here comes Mama.
I am about to perform, so be quiet and watch
Mama's talkin' loud.
I am singing/calling out loudly
Mama's doin' fine.
I am doing great
Mama's gettin' hot.
I am becoming emotional and more passionate as I perform
Mama's goin' stong.
I am continuing to perform with strength and energy
Mama's movin' on.
I am moving forward with my performance
Mama's all alone.
I am performing solo
Mama doesn't care.
I don't care about anything else except my performance
Mama's lettin' loose.
I am letting all of my emotions and passion show through my performance
Mama's got the stuff.
I am confident in my talent and performance abilities
Mama's lettin' go.
I am letting go of all my inhibitions while performing
Mama?
What do you think? Implying the audience should respond to her performance
Mama's gotta move.
I need to keep performing and move around the stage
Mama's gotta go.
I need to keep moving forward with my performance
Mama? Mama?
Do you like what you're seeing? Do you want more?
Mama's gotta let go.
I need to continue performing until I let go of all my emotions
Why did I do it?
Reflecting on past actions
What did it get me?
What did I gain from my past actions?
Scrapbooks full of me in the background.
Photos and memories of me not shining as a performer
Give 'em love and what does it get ya?
What do I gain from loving others? Does it benefit me as a performer?
What does it get ya?
What are the true benefits of love and affection?
One quick look as each of 'em leaves you.
They only give me one glance before leaving
All your life and what does it get ya?
What do I have to show for all my time and effort as a performer?
Thanks a lot and out with the garbage,
They thank me and then discard me when they're done
They take bows and you're battin' zero.
They receive praise while I receive nothing
I had a dream.
I once had a vision for my future
I dreamed it for you, June.
I had a dream of success for my daughter
It wasn't for me, Herbie.
I didn't have that dream for myself
And if it wasn't for me then where would you be, Miss Gypsy Rose Lee?
If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have had any opportunities as a performer
Well, someone tell me, when is it my turn?
When will I get the chance to shine as a performer?
Don't I get a dream for myself?
Do I not deserve my own dreams and aspirations as a performer?
Starting now it's gonna be my turn.
I'm going to start taking charge of my own career as a performer
Gangway, world, get off of my runway!
Step aside, I'm taking over the stage
Starting now I bat a thousand!
I'm going to be successful in everything I do
This time, boys, I'm taking the bows and everything's coming up Rose!
I'm going to receive all the praise and everything will be successful for me
For me! For me! For me! For me! For me! For me!
Everything will be for me and my success as a performer
I was...trying out for you...New ideas you might wanna use...
I was trying out new material for my performances so that you could also benefit from it
You really would have been something, momma!
You could have been a successful performer with your own talent
Do you think so?
Are you serious about that, or just saying it?
If you had someone to push you like I had...
If someone had helped you to pursue your dreams as I did for my daughter, you could have succeeded
If I could have been...I would have been...
If things had been different, I would have pursued my own aspirations as a performer
And that's show business!
That's how the industry works - some succeed, some don't
I guess I did it for me...
I pursued this career for the sake of my own interests
Why, momma?
Why did you focus on my sister's career instead of your own?
Just wanted to be noticed...
I wanted to be recognized for my own talents as a performer
Like I wanted you to notice me!
Just like I wanted you to recognize me instead of focusing on my sister
I still do, momma!
I still want you to recognize me and my talent
(They embrace each other. Rose cries)
Mother and daughter seek comfort in each other's embrace
It's OK, momma! OK, Rose!
Everything is going to be alright
See... You look like you should speak French!
We can still joke and laugh amidst the serious discussion
You're coming to that party with me...
We're going to enjoy life together and have some fun
No!
I don't want to attend a party under current circumstances
Come on!
Please just have some fun with me for one night
Not like this.
Not when our relationship is currently strained
Gypsy...
Trying to smooth over the situation by using nicknames
Wear my fur I have a stole in my cabinet.
Wear one of my furs for the party
Well, maybe just for an hour or two...
Okay, I'll wear the fur for part of the night
Hey, it looks better on me than it does on you.
Making a joke and having some casual fun with each other
Funny how we can both wear the same size!
More joking about their similar sizes
Specially in mink.
A final joke about their similar tastes in fashion
You know...I had a dream last night. There was a big poster of a other and daughter, like the Covers of the ladies magazines...
Rose continues to have hopeful dreams of success for the both of them
Yes, momma!
Gypsy listens and responds to her mother's hopeful dreams
Only it was you and me wearing exactly the same gowns. It was an add for Minsky, and the headline Said: 'MADAM ROSE...AND HER DAUGHTER GYPSY'.
Rose dreams of her and her daughter performing together and receiving praise, and imagines an advertisement with both their names in honor of their success
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jule Styne, Stephen Sondheim
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@filmmekker
Ethel is the only Rose who did the show WITHOUT A MICROPHONE. Keep that in mind when comparing her with later performers who could vary the volume for effect and didn't have to worry about being heard in the last row!
@highbelter
It is such a shame that no video exists of Merman doing this. She was such a commanding presence on stage; I bet she was fabulous. Of the Roses I've seen either live or on video, though, I think for Rose's Turn it's a toss up between Betty Buckley and Patti Lupone. They both were so fierce and emotionally engaged it was mesmerizing, particularly during the crucial "M..m...Mama" transition. Both made me cry.
@donnatlaw6172
Unfortunately Bette Midler version of "Gypsy" was marred with mediocre tv and Broadway hacks. Otherwise, anyone was better than Bernadette Peters. She can do anything but not Mama Rose...
@seamuskennefick7692
"Restless, Buster went to the kitchen to find something to help him sleep, when he came across Lucille’s emergency stash of wine, which he mistook for a giant juice box... It was the first taste of alcohol Buster had since he was nursing."
@corkysheba
+Seamus Kennefick ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
@porkbutt2010
YESSS!!!!!
@kriscrady7288
lmao greatest comment on this thread. "Mother!!!!!!"
@niaarae2597
You know why I'm here
@MrSpotlightrecordz
Yup!!
@larespo1
Always sends it out of the ballpark. Would have loved to see her on the stage!!