In addition to his own albums, Eaglesmith frequently collaborated with the late Willie P. Bennett, a past member of Eaglesmith's band, who had to step down after a heart attack in spring 2007. Eaglesmith's fans are known as Fredheads because of the similarities to deadheads. He has appeared in several movies, including "The Gift" and "50 Odd Dollars." His band is known as The Flying Squirrels or The Flathead Noodlers. Both bands have the same lineup, but play different styles. The Flathead Noodlers play bluegrass, while the Flying Squirrels play more folk and rock. An early incarnation of the band was known as The Smokin' Losers. When Fred does solo appearances he bills himself as Fred J. Eaglesmith. In addition to the songs, a typical Fred Eaglesmith show includes several lengthy between-song comic monologues by Fred. Topics in the past have included stories about crossing the U.S./Canada border, Newfoundlanders, and some friends from an Indian reserve. Eaglesmith is the owner and president of A Major Label, which publishes his records.
Current band members
* Fred J. Eaglesmith - Guitars, Vocals
* Matt Simpson - Acoustic guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
* Kori Heppner - Drums
* Luke Stackhouse - Bass, Vocals
Former members
* Willie P. Bennett - Mandolin, Harmonica, Vocals
* David Essig - Mandolin, Guitar
* Kevin Komatsu - Drums
* Roger Marin Jr. - Pedal Steel, Guitar, Vocals
* Ralph Schipper - Bass
* Jude Waldman - Drums
* Dan Walsh - Dobro, Guitar, Vocals
* Skip Wamsteeker - Drums
* Washboard Hank - Washboard, Dobro
* Darcy Yates - Bass
Discography
* Fred Eaglesmith (1980)
* The Boy That Just Went Wrong (1983)
* Indiana Road (1987)
* There Ain't No Easy Road (1991)
* Things Is Changin' (1993)
* Paradise Motel (1994)
* Drive-In Movie (1995)
* Lipstick, Lies and Gasoline (1997)
* 50 Odd Dollars (1999)
* Live: Ralph's Last Show (2001)
* Falling Stars and Broken Hearts (2002)
* The Official Bootleg Series, Vol. 1' (2002)
* Balin (2003)
* The Official Bootleg Series, Vol. 2' (2004)
* Dusty (2004)
* Milly's Cafe (2006)
* Tinderbox (2008)
www.fredeaglesmith.com
White Rose
Fred Eaglesmith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somebody hung a ribbon up
And then they cut it down
And that big white rose upon that sign
Put innocence in all our lives
We could see its neon light
From half a mile out
Gas was fifty cents a gallon
They'd put it in for you
They'd bump your tires and check your oil
And wash your windows too
And We'd shine those cars bright as bright
We'd go park underneath that light
Stare out at the prairie sky
There was nothing else to do
And now there's plywood for glass
Where the windows all got smashed
And there's just a chunk a'concrete
Where those old pumps used to stand
There's a couple a'cars half outta the ground
And that old sign still spins 'round 'n' 'round
I guess the White Rose fillin' station's just a memory now
And the girls would spend a couple of bucks
Just to meet the boys workin' at the pumps
And we'd pull up and fall in love
And they've all moved away
Strangers used to stop and ask
How far they've driven off the map
And then they built that overpass
And now they stay out on the highway
'Cause there's plywood for glass
Where the windows all got smashed
And there's just a chunk a'concrete
Where those old pumps used to stand
There's a couple a'cars half outta the ground
And that old sign still spins 'round 'n' 'round
I guess the White Rose fillin' station's just a memory now
And that neon sign was the heart and soul
Of this ol' one horse town
And it's like it lost its will to live
The day they shut it down
And now there's plywood for glass
Where the windows all got smashed
And there's just a chunk a'concrete
Where those old pumps used to stand
There's a couple a'cars half outta the ground
And that old sign still spins 'round 'n 'round
I guess the White Rose fillin' station's just a memory now
Yeah, that ol' White Rose fillin' station's just a memory now
The song "White Rose" by Fred Eaglesmith is a poignant ballad that tells the story of a small town gas station called the White Rose. The White Rose was an iconic place where people could stop and fuel up their cars and their spirits, but as time passed, the beauty and innocence of the White Rose disappeared. The first verse of the song speaks about how the day they paved the parking lot, someone hung a ribbon up, and then cut it down. This serves as a metaphor for how things can seem hopeful at first, but quickly turn sour. The second verse describes the good times that once prevailed at the White Rose when gas was fifty cents a gallon and people were friendly. The third verse paints a picture of the current state of the White Rose with plywood for glass and a chunk of concrete where the old pumps used to stand. The melancholy tone of the song illustrates the loss of something that was once vital to the town but is now just a memory.
Line by Line Meaning
The day the paved the parking lot
The day the parking lot was paved
Somebody hung a ribbon up
A ribbon was hung on the day the parking lot was paved
And then they cut it down
The ribbon was later cut down
And that big white rose upon that sign
Referring to the White Rose gas station sign
Put innocence in all our lives
The White Rose sign marked a time of innocence and simplicity
We could see its neon light
Referring to the bright neon light of the White Rose sign
From half a mile out
The White Rose sign was visible from a distance
Gas was fifty cents a gallon
Gasoline cost only fifty cents per gallon at that time
They'd put it in for you
The gas station attendants would pump the gas for you
They'd bump your tires and check your oil
The gas station attendants would also perform tire and oil checks for customers
And wash your windows too
The gas station attendants would clean customers' car windows
And We'd shine those cars bright as bright
People took the time to make their cars shine and look new
We'd go park underneath that light
People would park their cars under the White Rose sign's light
Stare out at the prairie sky
People would admire the wide-open prairie view while parked at the White Rose gas station
There was nothing else to do
Life was simple and free of distractions at that time
And now there's plywood for glass
The gas station's windows are boarded up with plywood
Where the windows all got smashed
The windows were broken and smashed at some point
And there's just a chunk a'concrete
All that remains of the gas station's foundation is a piece of concrete
Where those old pumps used to stand
The gas pumps are no longer there
There's a couple a'cars half outta the ground
There are a few abandoned cars partially buried in the ground
And that old sign still spins 'round 'n' 'round
The White Rose sign still spins in the wind
I guess the White Rose fillin' station's just a memory now
The White Rose gas station is now just a memory of the past
And the girls would spend a couple of bucks
Girls would spend money at the gas station just to meet the boys working at the pumps
Just to meet the boys workin' at the pumps
The presence of the boys working at the gas station was a social draw
And we'd pull up and fall in love
People would meet and possibly even fall in love at the White Rose gas station
And they've all moved away
All of those people have since moved away from the town
Strangers used to stop and ask
Curious strangers would stop at the gas station to ask for directions or information
How far they've driven off the map
These strangers would be driving off the common routes and seeking information on uncharted territory
And then they built that overpass
When the overpass was built, people no longer needed to stop in the town or at the gas station
And now they stay out on the highway
People now stay on the highway and bypass the town altogether
And that neon sign was the heart and soul
The White Rose gas station sign served as a symbol of the town's spirit and vitality
Of this ol' one horse town
The gas station was a central point in the small, sleepy town
And it's like it lost its will to live
The town lost its spirit and energy when the gas station closed down
The day they shut it down
Referring to the day the gas station permanently closed its doors
Yeah, that ol' White Rose fillin' station's just a memory now
The White Rose gas station is now but a distant memory
Lyrics © Bluewater Music Corp.
Written by: Fred Elgersma
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
J.L. Smith
thank you for this. fred sure has a way of touching a nerve, doesn't he?
Charlie Burttram
Hey, Josh, and yep, he sure does......... he is a brilliant writer and performer. Thanks for watching and commenting.............
Stephen Thomas
this was also done by Toby Keith on his big dog Daddy album
Charlie Burttram
Yep, Fred wrote it, and Toby does a good cover....... thanks for watching and commenting........
Alien nation
Can't get this on spotify
dadgrade78
Alien nation I own the cd ,but I wish the album was available on Spotify.
Vic Packman
Fred wrote this .
dadgrade78
countrygirl countrymusiclover It’s also pretty weird that you’re bragging about listening to Toby Keith and having no knowledge of Fred Eaglesmith. Major props to you for knowing nothing! 🤗🤪🤣
dadgrade78
countrygirl countrymusiclover I don’t listen to Toby Keith because he sounds fake and his cover of this great song is no exception. While he is covering someone else’s heartfelt song. His version just sounds like watered down radio crap for processed for the masses just like the rest of his music. It lacks the heart and feeling and most of all realness of the original.
dadgrade78
countrygirl countrymusiclover How can one butcher their own song? Props to Toby Keith for covering a good song I suppose ,but that’s about it. Toby Kieth.... better than Fred Eaglesmiths heartfelt original? Come one now....