Little Rosewood Casket
Hank Thompson And His Brazos Valley Boys Lyrics


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In a little Rosewood casket in the hall up on a stand
There's a package of old love letters written by a true love's hand
Won't you go and get them sister read them o'er to me tonight
I have tried so hard to read them but the tears they blind my sight
[ guitar ]
Place his letters and his pictures both together by my heart
With a little ring he gave me from my finger ne'er shall part
When I'm dead and in my casket and deep in my grave I lie
I want to be there close beside him when they lay me down to die

Overall Meaning

"The Little Rosewood Casket" by Hank Thompson tells a poignant story through its lyrics, evoking themes of love, loss, and longing. The opening stanza sets the scene of a small rosewood casket in the hall, containing a bundle of old love letters penned by a beloved individual. The singer, likely a woman addressed as "sister," implores her to retrieve and read these letters as the tears cloud her eyes, indicating the depth of emotion and attachment associated with their contents.


The next verse delves deeper into the sentimental value of these letters and memories. The singer requests for the letters and pictures to be placed together close to her heart, alongside a ring given by the sender that she vows to never part with. This act of preserving and cherishing physical tokens of love signifies the enduring connection between the singer and her departed lover, even beyond the confines of mortality.


The imagery of being laid to rest in a casket alongside the cherished items and with the desire to be reunited with her beloved in death reinforces the theme of eternal love and devotion. The singer's longing to be reunited with her lover in the afterlife reflects a profound yearning for a reunion beyond the temporal realm, emphasizing the transcendental nature of their bond.


Overall, "The Little Rosewood Casket" encapsulates the bittersweet essence of love and loss, woven through the threads of memory and longing. The lyrics resonate with a sense of nostalgia, wistfulness, and a yearning for eternal togetherness that transcends the boundaries of life and death. Hank Thompson's evocative portrayal of this emotional narrative imbues the song with a timeless quality that speaks to the universal experiences of love and remembrance.


Line by Line Meaning

In a little Rosewood casket in the hall up on a stand
Inside a small Rosewood coffin, placed prominently in the hallway


There's a package of old love letters written by a true love's hand
Contained within are letters from a genuine and deep love


Won't you go and get them sister read them o'er to me tonight
Please go and retrieve them, dear sister, and read them aloud to me this evening


I have tried so hard to read them but the tears they blind my sight
I've attempted to read them, but my tears obstruct my vision


[ guitar ]
Musical interlude


Place his letters and his pictures both together by my heart
Keep his letters and photos close to my heart


With a little ring he gave me from my finger ne'er shall part
I will never be separated from the small ring he gave me


When I'm dead and in my casket and deep in my grave I lie
In death, buried in my coffin deep in the ground


I want to be there close beside him when they lay me down to die
I desire to be buried near him when I pass away




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HANK THOMPSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@keithkimmeysr953

Thanks for sharing have a happy 4th of July Cheers

@marcusbrazil4976

You too, Keith, and all of your family !!!

@keithkimmeysr953

@@marcusbrazil4976 thanks Marcus same for you and your Family

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