Dust
Hope and Social Lyrics


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There's a single wide trailer past the railroad tracks
Old car in the front, weeds in the back
Mama had her there when she was sixteen years old
Took one look at her and named her Rose

Fragile little Rose had to grow up fast
Between the habit and the job that her mama had
I've never seen a situation half that bad

She's a blossom in the dust
All her colors covered up
Give a rose a little rain, lots of sun and all your love
And watch her blossom in the dust

We rescued that child in the nick of time
Found a real nice couple 'cross the county line
Who'd been trying to have a little girl of their own
And would give anything to give little Rose a home

That mama to be took one look at her
In her tattered flowered dress and her tangled curls
She said that's not just any girl

She's a blossom in the dust
All her colors covered up
Give a rose a little rain, lots of sun and all your love
And watch her blossom in the dust

Oh, sometimes the only way
To overcome a circumstance
Is someone giving someone else
A fighting chance

She's a blossom in the dust
All her colors covered up
Give a rose a little rain, lots of sun and all your love

She's a blossom in the dust




All her colors covered up
So watch her blossom in the dust

Overall Meaning

The song "Dust" by Hope and Social is a touching narrative about a young girl named Rose and her journey through a difficult childhood. The first stanza sets the scene for Rose's home, a single-wide trailer behind the railroad tracks, with an old car in front of it and weeds in the back. Rose's mother had her when she was just sixteen years old, and the name Rose was given after her first glance at her. Rose had to grow up quickly, between her mother's habits and the job she had. It's a situation that the singer has never seen before, highlighting how tough her childhood was.


The chorus of the song speaks about Rose's resilience and ability to thrive despite her tough surroundings. She's a "blossom in the dust," which suggests that she's something beautiful and rare that's rising above adversity. Her colors are covered up, meaning that she's been hidden away and overlooked, but she's still capable of flourishing with a little bit of care and love. The verse about the couple that takes her in and gives her a home is an uplifting moment that shows how sometimes the only way to overcome difficult circumstances is with the help of others.


Overall, "Dust" is a moving testament to the strength of the human spirit, especially in the face of hardship. It's a reminder that even when life feels challenging, there's always hope for something better.


Line by Line Meaning

There's a single wide trailer past the railroad tracks
In a far off place and away from the town, there exists a little trailer house


Old car in the front, weeds in the back
A rusty old car lies parked outside with overgrown weeds in the backyard


Mama had her there when she was sixteen years old
The mother gave birth to her when she was merely sixteen years old


Took one look at her and named her Rose
The mother named her Rose as soon as she saw her


Fragile little Rose had to grow up fast
Despite being a fragile young girl, Rose had to mature quickly


Between the habit and the job that her mama had
Rose had to deal with her mother's addiction and her job


I've never seen a situation half that bad
The singer has never witnessed a predicament like that


We rescued that child in the nick of time
We saved the child just in the nick of time


Found a real nice couple 'cross the county line
We discovered a kind-hearted couple residing across the county border


Who'd been trying to have a little girl of their own
The couple was trying to conceive a baby girl of their own


And would give anything to give little Rose a home
The couple was prepared to do anything to give Rose a family and home


That mama to be took one look at her
The expectant mother looked at Rose for the first time


In her tattered flowered dress and her tangled curls
She wore a ragged, flowered dress and had disheveled hair


She said that's not just any girl
The expectant mother knew that Rose was not an ordinary girl


Oh, sometimes the only way
There are times when the only solution


To overcome a circumstance
To conquer a predicament


Is someone giving someone else
Is someone providing another with


A fighting chance
An opportunity to fight and succeed


Give a rose a little rain, lots of sun, and all your love
With a bit of rain, lots of sunshine, and immense love, Rose thrives


She's a blossom in the dust
Rose is a flower that flourishes in the dust


All her colors covered up
Even though her colors might be concealed


So watch her blossom in the dust
Observe and see her thrive in the adverse situation




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MALLARY HOPE, JOE DOYLE, JON HENDERSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Tim Collins

Wonderfully sad song :)

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