White Rose
Freakwater Lyrics
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You were waiting for your chance, it finally came
Did they catch you standing still, were you thinking about running
Did they know you were the ones who hated evil more than pain
Just an old photograph left to show
White roses fall in the snow
Bursting into flower red roses grow
You could have lived to be old without trying
Just your children to remember your name
Beautiful flowers are beautiful dying
When you died for true love you didn't die in vain
Just an old photograph left to show
White roses fall in the snow
Bursting into flower red roses grow
Where white roses lay broken in the snow
So easily you make me cry
Like pouring rain tearsdrops fall from my eyes
But there's no virtue in crying and no virtue in trying
To deny I wouldn't stand by the tracks and never see the trains
Just an old photograph left to show
White roses fall in the snow
Bursting into flower red roses grow
Where white roses lay broken in the snow
The lyrics to Freakwater's "White Rose" speak to the theme of sacrifice for what is right, echoing a sentiment often heard in stories of revolution and resistance. The first stanza sets up the image of waiting for an opportunity to make a difference, noting that it finally came but questioning whether they were caught before they could act. The lyrics "were you thinking about running / Did they know you were the ones who hated evil more than pain" suggest that the singer is remembering someone who was brave and principled, but ultimately faced a difficult choice in the face of danger. This idea is reinforced in the second stanza, which contrasts the beauty of living a long life with the value of dying for a noble cause. The phrase "beautiful flowers are beautiful dying" implies that the sacrifice made by the person being remembered has a kind of inherent beauty that is rare in other aspects of life. The third stanza is more personal, with the singer reflecting on their own emotional reaction to the story. The line "there's no virtue in crying and no virtue in trying to deny" acknowledges the sadness and vulnerability that comes with caring, but also highlights the importance of facing reality head-on.
The metaphor of the white rose is also significant to the song's meaning. Traditionally, white roses symbolize purity, innocence, and reverence, which aligns with the idea of "hating evil more than pain." The line "where white roses lay broken in the snow" suggests that something pure and good (the white roses) has been damaged or destroyed. However, the second half of each refrain brings in the image of the red rose, which often represents love, passion, and sacrifice. The phrase "bursting into flower" implies growth and vitality, suggesting that in spite of hardship and loss, something new and meaningful is created.
Overall, the song is a tribute to those who have risked their lives for a greater good, and an acknowledgement of the emotional toll that kind of struggle can have on those who witness it. It's a melancholy but powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by those who put themselves in harm's way for a cause they believe in.
Line by Line Meaning
You were waiting for your chance, it wasn't coming
You were hopeful for an opportunity, but it never arrived
You were waiting for your chance, it finally came
You were hopeful for an opportunity, and it eventually presented itself
Did they catch you standing still, were you thinking about running
Were you caught in a vulnerable moment, or were you planning to escape?
Did they know you were the ones who hated evil more than pain
Were they aware that you were passionate about justice and morality?
Just an old photograph left to show
All that remains is a memory frozen in time
White roses fall in the snow
Innocence and purity are lost in a cold and harsh world
Bursting into flower red roses grow
Out of tragedy and loss can spring new growth and beauty
Where white roses lay broken in the snow
The aftermath of tragedy can leave lasting scars and damage
You could have lived to be old without trying
You had the potential for a long life without much effort
Just your children to remember your name
Your legacy would have lived on through the memory of your offspring
Beautiful flowers are beautiful dying
Death can be poetic and beautiful in its own way
When you died for true love you didn't die in vain
Sacrificing oneself for a noble cause can bring meaning and purpose to one's life
So easily you make me cry
You evoke a strong emotional response from me
Like pouring rain tearsdrops fall from my eyes
I cry openly and profusely in your presence
But there's no virtue in crying and no virtue in trying
Expressing emotions doesn't necessarily make one virtuous, nor does suppressing them
To deny I wouldn't stand by the tracks and never see the trains
I can't deny that I would have regretted missing out on important experiences
Contributed by Scarlett H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.