Poverty drove the Dickens to move to the Baltimore, Maryland area when Dickins was nineteen. There she met Mike Seeger, younger brother of Pete Seeger and founding member of the New Lost City Ramblers and became active in the Baltimore-Washington area bluegrass and folk music scene during the 1960s. During this time she also established a collaborative relationship with Mike Seeger's wife, Alice Gerrard, and as "Hazel & Alice" recorded two albums for the Folkways label: "Who's That Knocking (And Other Bluegrass Country Music) (1965)" and "Won't You Come & Sing for Me (1973)". In this regard, Dickens and Gerrard were bluegrass bandleaders at a time when the vast majority of bluegrass bands were led by men.
Dickens appeared in the documentary Harlan County, USA and also contributed four songs to the soundtrack of the same film. She has also appeared in the film Matewan.
Dickins continues to record and perform all of her life. Her voice is among the most powerful and moving of all bluegrass singers, male or female.
Hazel Dickens died April 22, 2011 at the Washington Home hospice in the District. She was 75 and had complications from pneumonia. Bless you old girl.
Faded Pressed Rose
Hazel Dickens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He told me a story I'll never forget
He recalled when Mama and he were first wed
And when she first planted her small flower bed
He spoke of the first rose that bloomed in the spring
And how she cared for it when there was no rain
He told how the fragrance of the flowers
He said of all the memories that I now hold
My favorite is her marker, the faded pressed rose
[instrumental break]
Papa's been gone now just one year today
And I placed from Mama's garden pretty flowers on her grave
I'm holdin' in my hand the first bloom she ever grow'd
From her Bible, the faded pressed rose
And now when I read from the good book they loved
The old home is filled with their spirit from above
And their memories cheer me through my lonely hours
When I remember all the love that they shared in the flower
Now the fondest of my memories that I now hold
Is the marker from her Bible, the faded pressed rose
The marker from Mama's Bible, the faded pressed rose
In Hazel Dickens's song "Faded Pressed Rose," the singer reminisces about her parents and their love for gardening. The song is framed as a recollection from the singer's father on his death bed, explaining the story of how the first rose bloomed in the garden and how his wife, the singer's mother, cared for it when there was no rain. The song emphasizes the significance of the first rose that bloomed in the garden, as the mother used it to create a Bible marker. Despite the passing of both parents, the "faded pressed rose" marker remains a precious memory that the singer cherishes.
The song explores themes of love, loss, and memory. It celebrates the humble beauty of a simple garden, but also emphasizes the deeper emotional significance attached to the flowers that grew there. The memories of the parents linger on, filling the home with their spirit, making sure that they will never be forgotten by their child.
Line by Line Meaning
When Papa was lyin' on his death bed
Papa, before dying, shared his memories with me.
He told me a story I'll never forget
He narrated his past and memories with utmost clarity.
He recalled when Mama and he were first wed
He remembered his early days of marriage to Mama.
And when she first planted her small flower bed
Mama sowed the first seeds of her flower bed.
He spoke of the first rose that bloomed in the spring
He mentioned the first flower that bloomed in Mama's garden.
And how she cared for it when there was no rain
He described how Mama nurtured the flower even without rain.
He told how the fragrance of the flowers
He shared the memories of the pleasant fragrance of the flowers.
How she made her Bible marker from the first one that bloomed
He explained how Mama made a Bible marker using the first flower.
He said of all the memories that I now hold
He said that his most cherished memory is Mama's faded pressed rose.
My favorite is her marker, the faded pressed rose
Among all memories, the best is Mama's Bible marker adorned with the faded rose.
Papa's been gone now just one year today
Only a year has passed since Papa's death.
And I placed from Mama's garden pretty flowers on her grave
On Mama's grave, I laid beautiful flowers from her garden.
I'm holdin' in my hand the first bloom she ever grow'd
I'm holding the first flower ever grown by Mama.
From her Bible, the faded pressed rose
It is a pressed rose from her Bible that I now hold.
And now when I read from the good book they loved
When I read the same Bible that they cherished.
The old home is filled with their spirit from above
The house is now an embodiment of their spirit.
And their memories cheer me through my lonely hours
Their cherished memories bring me solace when I feel lonely.
When I remember all the love that they shared in the flower
I recall the love that they shared through Mama's flower bed.
Now the fondest of my memories that I now hold
The most treasured memory is Mama's Bible marker with the pressed rose.
Is the marker from her Bible, the faded pressed rose
The faded pressed rose in Mama's Bible is the dearest memory.
Contributed by Ava S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
RamblinAround
Sounds great Ken......nicely done! I'd be happy if i could sing or play half that well.
MJM’s Workshop
Great job, I look forward to seeing more singing and playing.
HinataReal1
Wow, You're pretty good. :) Could you please post the lyrics to this video on the description or something? I look forward to more of your songs. :)
Darrell Foss
Your a man of many talents Ken......Great job....Darrell
johngrow1
beautiful
James Eggerth
Really nice Waylan !!
Waylon Wire's Old Iron
@RamblinAround thanks.. and I've heard you play.. you do just fine!
ElderlyIron
Bravo!
Waylon Wire's Old Iron
@phill903 dang! I forgot to give Waylon credits at the end! and I said DANG again. .haha
Waylon Wire's Old Iron
@delmontcrusier you are too kind!