Rose Garden
J. South Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'll find my way back to the rose in the garden
I'll find my way back to her sweet arms
I'll find my way back to the rose in the garden
I'll find my way back to her little charms
Wasting my life, just dreaming away
No never again will I ever stray

I'll find my way back to the rose in the garden

I'll find my way back to her sweet arms
Wasting my life, just dreaming away
No never again will I ever stray

I'll find my way back to the rose in the garden
I'll find my way back to her sweet arms

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to J. South's "Rose Garden" speak of the singer's desire to find his way back to his love, symbolized through the imagery of a rose in a garden. The repetition of "I'll find my way back" emphasizes his determination to return to the person he loves. The rose is commonly used as a symbol of love and beauty, and it is clear that the singer sees his love as something precious, sweet, and charming, represented by both the rose and his lover's arms.

The second stanza draws attention to the singer's past mistakes, specifically his tendency to daydream and waste time. However, he declares that he will never again stray from his path back to his love. The use of the phrase "wasting my life" suggests that he recognizes the gravity of the situation and the importance of not losing sight of what truly matters. The repetition of the first stanza at the end serves as a reminder of the singer's unwavering devotion to finding his way back to his love.

Overall, the lyrics speak to the power of love and the lengths one will go to reclaim it. The rose in the garden is a potent symbol of the singer's desire to return to his beloved and his willingness to make amends for past mistakes.

Line by Line Meaning

I'll find my way back to the rose in the garden
I am determined to return to the one I love, symbolized by a rose in a garden.

I'll find my way back to her sweet arms
I am longing to be held by my beloved and find comfort in her embrace.

I'll find my way back to her little charms
I am enchanted by the unique qualities and endearing quirks of my beloved.

Wasting my life, just dreaming away
I have realized that I have been aimlessly wasting my time lost in my own fantasies and need to take action.

No never again will I ever stray
I am committed to staying faithful and not losing sight of what truly matters in life.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: J. J. CALE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@halfaday1

4y↑5

I could promise you things
like big diamond rings
but you don't find roses growin'
on fields of clover
so you better think it over.
When it's sweet talking you
would make it come true
I would give you the world right
now on a silver platter
but what would it matter.
So smile for a while and let's be jolly
love shouldn't be so melancholy
come on and share the good times
while we can.
I beg your pardon I never promised
you a rose garden
along with the sunshine there's
got to be a little rain sometimes.
I beg your pardon I never
promised you a rose garden
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
So look before you leap still water runs deep
and there won't always be someone to pull you out.
and you know what I'm talkin' about
So smile for a while and let's be jolly
love shouldn't be so melancholy
come on and share the good times
while we can.
I beg your pardon I never promised you a rose garden
along with the sunshine there's got to be a little rain sometimes.

@tropicwave1

7y↑7

(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden

I beg your pardon I never promised you a rose garden
Along with the sunshine there's gotta be a little rain sometime
When you take you gotta give so live and let live and let go oh oh oh oh
I beg your 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
Well, if sweet talking you could make it come true
I would give you the world right now on a silver platter
But what would it matter
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 your pardon I never promised you a rose garden
Along with the sunshine there's gotta be a little rain sometime
I beg your pardon I never promised you a rose garden
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'd better look before you leap still waters run 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 and let's be jolly love shouldn't be so melancholy
Come along and share the good times while we can
I beg your pardon I never promised you a rose garden
Along with the sunshine there's gotta be a little rain sometime
I beg your pardon I never promised you a rose garden
Along with the sunshine there's gotta be a little rain sometime
Songwriters: Joe South
(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

@MrKenichi22

5y↑2

Mar Thivierge I have 3 versions to compare including Lynn... If this is Country, Than I have 4 choices.

Groovy,
Male Country,
Soulful,
Female Country.

I am lost for words.

By the way Billy Joe Royal was first in 1967.

All comments from YouTube:

@clapolla

43w↑9

The song that catapulted Lynn Anderson into the ranks of superstardom. Her version went No.1 around the world.

@bobdant312

5y↑71

Proud to say I knew him, liked him, laughed with him, & he gave me the ultimate complement by recording one of my songs.

@tytipton6346

3y↑1

Very cool!
I found out about him putting a playlist together for my dad’s class reunion in 2009. He graduated in ‘69. Joe South was the man.

@stanibol

How was this your song? Curious.

@jimconley8753

2y↑3

he didn't say THIS song

@erinpilla

2y↑1

Wow that's amazing!

@joesouthsgirl5662

1y↑1

That would be cool. I wish I could have spent time with him. Seemed to be an honest down to earth man.

2 More Replies...

@antonioalvarez6404

3y↑12

Joe South was the man because he could do it all. He had more talent in one finger than most people have in all their body. RIP

@joesouthsgirl5662

2y↑2

AMEN Antonio!😃❤

@antonioalvarez6404

2y↑2

@JoeSouth'sgirl I was in the 8th grade during 1969 thur 1970 when I heard his song "Games people Play" that I fell in love with his music. His music was recorded by a lot of other artists. I wish that I could have seen him preform in San Antonio. He died almost ten years ago. Listening to his music gives me peace and understand life especially "Walk a Mile in my Shoes."

@joesouthsgirl5662

2y↑1

@antonio alvarez I understand how you feel. I heard him when I was about 8 years old. I have always just loved Joe's music. He just has such a nice deep southern voice. His songs make you think about things. His songs are not vulgar like music seems to be today. When I am stressed, which has been a lot lately, I just listen to some Joe South and he gets me through. 😃😄🥰

@andrewvassos1902

1y↑3

A Great Song ,Rose Garden ,Bingo,NY.

@peacemaker4994

2y↑18

He was SO underrated as a singer and as a songwriter. Love his sound.❤

@joesouthsgirl5662

2y↑7

I Love this version the most. He was such a talented man.

@kelmo3355

41w↑2

Incredible!!!! I've missed hearing this all these years. Never heard this version before. He did this song great!!!! 👏

@joesouthsgirl5662

40w↑2

Yes he sure did a great job on this song. Best version in my opinion. He was a really great man. ❤

@chadgilmore5046

37w↑2

@@joesouthsgirl5662Joe South wrote the song Lynn Anderson made it stay #1 on the charts for 5 weeks.

@joesouthsgirl5662

37w↑2

@@chadgilmore5046 Yes, I know, but I like Joe's voice so much better 😊🥰

@chadgilmore5046

37w↑3

@@joesouthsgirl5662 I liked everything about Lynn Anderson from head to toe she was a real honey cake🤣

@joesouthsgirl5662

37w↑2

@@chadgilmore5046 That is how I feel about Joe 😄🥰😁😘

@1908HELIO

1y↑2

Thanks a lot my friend! You has possible remember good time of our lives.

@lisachapman4160

2y↑5

I didn't know that he wrote this and so many more , Elvis recorded " walk a mile in my shoes! One of my many many many Elvis songs that are one of my favorites!

@joesouthsgirl5662

2y↑2

Oh yes, Joe was a very talented man. He wrote songs, sang songs, played a very fabulous guitar who played on several other people's records like Aretha, Bob Dylan and Simon & Garfunkel, and he also was a producer on other people's records. Very, very talented Man. Miss him so much!

@snookieconger5438

5y↑35

I dated Joe South in the sixties. He even came to my graduation at the Fox Theater in 1966.

@francisalanwormald6328

3y↑4

LYNN'S VERSION WAS ALL I KNEW...& LOVED IT...SO GLAD TO KNOW THE CREATOR...NOT HIS ONLY GREAT CREATION. RIP

@fosbury68

2y↑4

Makes more sense from male POV.
"You don't find roses growing in fields of clover" (in other words, without thorns).

@caseylight4245

1y↑3

I met Joe South. He was friendly and funny. Super nice guy!

@jeanpresley1220

4y↑8

my sister would sing this all day when she was about 7 years old .happy times then . love JULIE !!!

@spideraxis

1y↑3

I had heard that South did the original before Lynn Anderson, and finally found it.

@MsHillbilly24

11y↑12

Never heard anyone else sing this song.it was my fav song as a kid and still is .cant believe this guy sang it .

@FredricEric

6y↑5

And he wrote it.

@stanibol

2y↑2

Yeah... what a revelation!
The song brought great fame to Lynn Anderson, belting it across the globe and to high heaven . Certainly swooped up 64 million German listeners, most of whom had no inkling about American Country til the day when Lynn whisked them away with her brilliance.

@jseidel70js

2y↑2

@stanibol now Martina McBride sings it

@joesouthsgirl5662

40w↑1

@@jseidel70jsYes, Joe mentioned that in an interview he did in 2010 and he said it had made him more money than Lynn's version. He was surprised about that fact. He was such a great man. ❤

@melissajanes6142

8y↑10

I love the way it was arranged for Lynn Anderson they really put some spin on that one

@wdharveyoicu

15y↑30

I never knew he wrote this song until the other day when I was researching his music....this man was wonderful in his lyric, and has made his impression on a lot of people without them even knowing it.

@stanibol

2y↑1

Ok. It only took me 51 years to learn that bit of important trivia. Having heard mention of Lynn Anderson's first husband as a songwriter, I guess i assumed Sutton wrote it for her ... nice surprise to then find out it wasn't he. So here I am. Enjoyed listening to the original composer singing this iconic American masterpiece.

@MrJoeybabe25

5y↑9

Great country crossover! Written by Joe South who recorded it in 1967.

@rosaureasimoes8645

2y↑2

ESPETACULAR!😍👏🤩👏🥰👏😻👏🥳

@halfaday1

4y↑5

@glauciolaffitte5504

1y↑2

Good Stuff , Mike.

@jeffsmith4110

34w

SO overlooked!

@rockingronniewalker1870

6y↑7

Always good to hear the original

@jonathanmacpac

4y↑5

Spectoresque wall of sound.

@tino0936

7y↑10

Pure class.

@cmulwee001

14y↑9

@yskito You're right. This is indeed the original version. This was recorded in 1968, three years before Lynn Anderson's hit making cover version. I actually prefer this original over Lynn's though both are good records. Another version that predates Lynn Anderson's is a soulful recording by Dobie Gray(of "The In Crowd" and "Drift Away" fame) recorded about a year after Joe South's original

@nohunger123

14y↑5

Omg my boyfriend was twice as old as I was when this came out. I was 7.

@ronnieboucherthecrystalcraftsm

7y↑5

good sound out of this oldie good stuff and thank you.

@triplucid3563

3y↑4

Joe is damn good, I met his cosmic dealer too...

@tropicwave1

7y↑7

@kennethnyirady8979

4y↑6

His album version is slightly different than the 45. Both are good.

@edwardanthony7283

7y↑17

Too bad he passed on a few years back. Excellent singer/songwriter.

@TheDirtyredbandana

7y↑1

I didn't know that. A very good songwriter. Wrote wonderful melodies and meaningful lyrics. I love Walk A Mile In My Shoes a lot.

@edwardanthony7283

7y↑2

He also wrote Hush by Deep Purple. Joe passed away a few years ago in his early 70's. Definitely an under rated talent.

@TheDirtyredbandana

7y↑2

Definitely under rated. Saw the video of his grave site here, makes you feel sad. If I was nearby, I'd like to visit it. I didn't know he had passed on. So many good musicians from that era have gone on. It was from Hush by Deep Purple that I got into him. Very talented guy. His lyrics are so meaningful and philosophical and he rhymes it well, good melodies, nice voice, good guitarist. His albums are not available in Malaysia. I'm going to buy them all from Amazon later. This Hall of Fame (I don't think he was inducted - must check later) is not a proper reflection of peoples talent. So many great people are not there and those who are not that good are there. Perhaps there's too much of politics there. But he's in my Hall of Fame. Thanks for responding.

@edwardanthony7283

5y↑2

@Bobby Mcgee His brother passed in the early 70's and he kind of withdrew after that. Read about that a while ago. He helped shape the 60's & 70's with great music.

@TheDirtyredbandana

5y↑3

@Edward Anthony That's the saddest part. he was deeply affected by his brother's death. who fought in Vietnam I think. He was at his height then and disappeared. Always makes me think all those songs he 'lost', songs he could have written. What I love is he writes beautiful melodies and beautiful lyrics. Not the I love you, yes I do, if you say goodbye I'll die...Nobody writes lyrics like his anymore today.

4 More Replies...

@ukrandr

39w

Who could forget Morrissey, of all people, opening his show at The Ryman Auditorium some years back with this masterpiece.

@isaacfreeman7105

8y↑3

I came. It was so good.

@DorCarlosFury

6y↑5

Nice voice, nice version !

@LoseUrControl

3y↑2

This music is know in Brazil as "Mar de Rosas", recorded by The Fevers.

@davevikingr

11y↑8

I like this one better than the more famous Lynn Anderson cover - just a personal opinion tho'. My favourite version is by Ray Dexter - it's on You Tube too - a much slower, more melancholy version.

@DavidJHarrisonEssex

3y↑3

Just heard this for the very 1st time, I do like it but I prefer Lynn Anderson's remake which got to #3 her In the U.K.

@melissajanes6142

8y↑4

yeah oddly enough rose garden took off with Lynn Anderson but Joe South wrote it and i am sure made millions on it also

@catgirl23video

5y↑8

This has got a nice slam beat

@murrayalexander7202

3y↑1

Brother Tommy South on drums.
That was his style.
Producers liked it and used it on covers of Joe’s tunes. As in Billy Joe Royal’s covers.

@erinpilla

11y↑6

I love Lynn Anderson's version more. But this being the original, I think I know now where the beat comes from. But yeah the way it sounds must be a novelty in its time!

@larryhiebert7791

1y↑4

It's a total different version,he wrote this song

@mthivier

6y↑10

It's hard not to compare to Lynn Anderson's version, since her recording was such a huge monster hit, but this original version was actually quite nice. Lynn always said that Joe South's INTROSPECT album (which included both "Rose Garden" and "Games People Play") was one of her favorites, and it's easy to see why.

@MrKenichi22

5y↑2

@MrKenichi22

Mar Thivierge
https://youtu.be/5CxOzew6GkI

@MrKenichi22

5y↑1

Mar Thivierge Here is Dolby
https://youtu.be/EHB31k4uIRQ

@vktseikha8286

7y↑3

👍👍👍

@erinpilla

4y↑6

This has some Mariachi undertones to it. Correct me if I "offended" anyone, just wanna say it has some La Bamba flavor to it. Still would prefer Anderson's version, but they are both good

@thestraitgateway

I smell you but I never heard Anderson's version nor care to this the shitt fucc Andy

@johnlynch8007

6y↑4

I think Sandie shaws version is the best

@joesouthsgirl5662

2y↑2

Nah, Joe's is best!!

@edwardanthony7283

7y↑5

The author used a calypso beat & growing garden type vocalizing..

@lcar4000

9y↑14

I actually prefer this original version to the overly-produced lynn Anderson version

@2009framat

8y↑1

+lcar4000 I prefer Lynn Anderson's version - this one has string arrangement and back ground vocals arrangement etc.. I think rhythm is not too suitable and it even sounds a little bit like in a hurry although it is not played ´very fast.

@derekmtheriault

different key also

@okeekonokee5282

no way. I'm thinking, the arranger of the Lynn Anderson version was a musical genius to make Lynn's arrangement from THIS.

@joesouthsgirl5662

2y↑1

I prefer Joe's version too, but Lynn's is good, just Joe's is better.

@henryfranqui1444

3y↑2

If you think about it is a man song to sing to a woman.....theres a part in the song where it saids...I promise you a diamond ring...

@Raider577

3y↑3

It's okay but not a patch on Lynn Anderson. Her version is better than all the cover versions I've heard of this song.

@joesouthsgirl5662

2y↑2

No Joe's version is the best😃😄❤

@Raider577

2y↑2

@JoeSouth'sgirl We'll agree to disagree.

@joesouthsgirl5662

2y↑1

@Raider577 Yes. Lynn's is good and she made Joe some money, but Joe's is best. Ha ha 😃

@Pimp-Master

12y↑6

It's amazing that the producers of the Lynn Anderson version could make that thing really rock and swing. This is the original writer and singer of the piece, but it just doesn't sound like anything. It's not rock enough (besides the obvious Phil Spector beat) or country enough to do anything...it's weird.

@QuadMochaMatti

It's emotionally flat. It served as a springboard for something much better to come from it, via L.A.

@erinpilla

TBH Anderson's version defined the song more. Had she did not cover it, we probably would not have seen this song at all

@joesouthsgirl5662

2y↑3

@erinpilla Actually Joe South fans heard this before Lynn Anderson did her version. I prefer Joe's version.

@erinpilla

2y↑1

@JoeSouth'sgirl I might have to listen again and my opinion might change :)

@joesouthsgirl5662

2y↑3

@erinpilla I like Lynn's version, but I like Joe's better. My opinion.😃

2 More Replies...

@1978garfield

5y↑2

There is a lot going on here.
IMHO too much.
I wonder who produced this?
Joe's production on Walk a Mile in my Shoes sounded great.
I think this is my fave version of this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHnVomevDWg
I wish Joe had re-recorded a less "studio magic" version.

@joesouthsgirl5662

2y↑1

No, this is just perfect as it is. Thank you Joe South😃❤

@ceasarsalad119

2y↑3

If you look at the lyrics it might teach you something about the attraction process. Its meant for a man to sing so I can see why the labels were reluctant for lynn to do a cover. Still it was more successful than this version... i think.

@joesouthsgirl5662

2y↑3

Joe's version is better than Lynn's. Hers is good, but Joe's better.

@ceasarsalad119

2y↑2

@JoeSouth'sgirl I know.

@hennamatata6547

2y↑2

I literally met his daughter in a bus

@joesouthsgirl5662

2y↑2

Joe does not have a daughter. He has a son Craig who is married.

@danstanfield5570

3y↑1

If you want something said ask a man. If you want something said ask a woman. If you don't want anything said or done ask a cat...

@danstanfield5570

Done done by a woman. WTF?

@Mrcrazychris12

7y↑3

Prefer Lynn Anderson's version. Something missing from this.

@QuadMochaMatti

5y↑2

Namely, Lynn Anderson. Joe South was a very talented artist in his own right, but this just seems flat, and lacking in the emotions that resonate in Miss Anderson's rendition. I can see why his recordings have fewer views on YouTube, in comparison.

@erinpilla

@ModMokkaMatti shady! LOL but I agree. The melody did not seem to match the context of the song

@joesouthsgirl5662

2y↑1

Nah, Joe's version is best

@anderseriksson5566

3y↑1

I BEG YOUR PARDON BUT I LIKE LYNN ANDERSONS VERSION BETTER BUT MOST I LIKE AUDREY LANDERS VERSION AND I BEG YOUR PARDON ABOUT MY BAD ENGLISH

@josermont

8y↑14

I prefer Linn Anderson.

@OlafRonald

..or Martina McBride.

@DenisAvdoshin

7y↑5

but it is original song

@alanfox4172

Agreed it has more sp ink to it.

@noahzark6755

6y↑1

Josermont. You can prefer whatever you want. Tony WROTE the song. He was glad to get the money Lynn made. Learn to spell the name of your preference.

@joesouthsgirl5662

2y↑1

Joe wrote the song, who is Tony?

@someguy23475

6y↑1

Joe South was a great writer, but not so great as a performer

@modoc63

5y↑2

someguy23475 bull shit

@arturbello4213

5y↑2

Check out "The Games People Play"

@arturbello4213

5y↑2

"Hush"

@frzstat

4y↑1

@Artur Belo we had Deep Purple's version of "Hush" on 45 RPM vinyl. We wore it out playing it. I never realized it was written by Joe South and I'm from the same home town (Atlanta.)