Rose Garden
Glen Campbell Lyrics
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Along with the sunshine there's gotta be a little rain sometimes
When you take you got to give so live and let live or let go
I beg you pardon I never promised you a rose garden
I could promise you things like big diamond rings
But you don't find roses growin' on stalks of clover so you better think it over
When it's sweet talking you could make it come true
So smile for a while and let's be jolly love shouldn't be so melancholy
Come along and share the good times while we can
I beg you pardon I never promised you a rose garden
Along with the sunshine girl there's gotta be a little rain sometimes
I could sing you a tune and promise you the moon
But if that's what it takes to hold you I'd just as soon let you go
But there's one thing I want you to know
You better look before you leap still water runs deep
And there won't always be someone there to pull you out
And you know what I'm talking about
So smile for a while...
The lyrics of Glen Campbell's "Rose Garden" speak of a relationship and the idea of false promises. Campbell begins by saying that he never promised his partner a "rose garden," meaning that he never promised a life free of hardships or difficulties. He acknowledges that in life, there will be some rain along with the sunshine, and that sometimes when you take something, you must also give something in return.
While Campbell peels away any false promises, he states that he could promise his partner all kinds of materialistic things such as big diamond rings, but that this would not change the fact that life can be tough sometimes. He speaks of how love shouldn't be so melancholy, and reminds his partner to beware before making a hasty decision as still water runs deep.
Despite the realizations Campbell has regarding life and love, he asks his partner to smile and be jolly, to share the good times while they still can. He finishes with that same message again; he did not promise perfection, but sometimes they can enjoy the sunshine and rain together.
Line by Line Meaning
I beg you pardon I never promised you a rose garden
I apologize if you thought things were going to be easy and perfect, but I never promised you a life without struggles.
Along with the sunshine there's gotta be a little rain sometimes
Life is not always going to be enjoyable and bright; there will also be tough times.
When you take you got to give so live and let live or let go
In any relationship, both parties must make compromises and be willing to let go if necessary.
I could promise you things like big diamond rings
I could offer you material items, but that is not what truly matters in a relationship.
But you don't find roses growin' on stalks of clover so you better think it over
True love is rare and cannot be easily found, so consider carefully what you really want in life.
When it's sweet talking you could make it come true
Words can be sweet and convincing, but that does not mean they will always be backed up by actions.
I would give you the world right now on a silver platter but what would it matter
I could offer you everything, but if it does not fulfill you and make you happy, then what is the point?
So smile for a while and let's be jolly love shouldn't be so melancholy
Let's enjoy each other's company and not let the difficulties of life bring us down.
Come along and share the good times while we can
Let's make the most of the happy moments in life because they are not guaranteed to last forever.
I could sing you a tune and promise you the moon
I could make grand promises and unrealistic statements, but that does not mean they will come true.
But if that's what it takes to hold you I'd just as soon let you go
I do not want to manipulate or deceive you with empty promises just to keep you in my life.
But there's one thing I want you to know
There is something important that I need to tell you.
You better look before you leap still water runs deep
You need to be cautious and aware before making any big decisions because things are not always as they seem.
And there won't always be someone there to pull you out
You need to be prepared to handle situations on your own because you cannot always rely on others for help.
And you know what I'm talking about
You have experienced this before and understand the importance of self-reliance.
So smile for a while...
Let's enjoy the present moment and not worry about the future for now.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Joe South
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind