Give My Love to Rose
Johnny Cash Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning

I found him by the railroad track this morning
I could see that he was nearly dead
I knelt down beside him and I listened
Just to hear the words the dying fellow said

He said they let me out of prison out in Frisco
For ten long years I've paid for what I've done
I was trying to get back to Louisiana


To see my Rose and get to know my son

Give my love to Rose please won't you mister
Take her all my money, tell her to buy some pretty clothes
Tell my boy his daddy's so proud of him
And don't forget to give my love to Rose

Won't you tell them I said thanks for waiting for me
Tell my boy to help his mom at home
Tell my Rose to try to find another
For it ain't right that she should live alone

Mister here's a bag with all my money
It won't last them long the way it goes
God bless you for finding me this morning
And don't forget to give my love to Rose

Give my love to Rose please won't you mister
Take her all my money, tell her to buy some pretty clothes

Tell my boy his daddy's so proud of him
And don't forget to give my love to Rose

Overall Meaning

"Give My Love to Rose" is a heartbreaking song by Johnny Cash which tells a story of a man who has just been released from prison after serving ten long years for a crime he's committed. He is found by the railroad track, dying, and asks the person who found him to deliver a message to his loved ones. The dying man requests that the messenger gives his love to his wife, Rose, and his son. He wants Rose to use the money he gives the messenger to buy some pretty clothes, and he wants his son to know how proud of him he is. He also tells his son to help his mom at home and encourages Rose to find another partner because he doesn't believe that she should live alone.


The interpretation of the song is the notion of regret and remorse, where the character is looking back over his life and feeling the weight of the things that he's done wrong. He is cognizant of his consequences and takes full responsibility for his actions. He has learned some valuable lessons while in prison, and his dying words are an expression of his love, hope, and desire for the well-being of his family.


The song has struck a chord with many listeners, and it was also covered by Bob Dylan, who included it on his album Nashville Skyline. It was then recorded by several other artists, including Joan Baez, who performed it at Woodstock in 1969. It has become a popular song among country music fans and has been praised for its simple yet poignant lyrics that speak to the universal human experience of love, loss, and regret.


Line by Line Meaning

I found him by the railroad track this morning
As I was walking along the railway, I stumbled upon a man who was on the verge of losing his life.


I could see that he was nearly dead
The man was in a very bad state, and it was obvious that he might not survive much longer.


I knelt down beside him and I listened
I got closer to the dying guy and paid attention to what he was saying.


Just to hear the words the dying fellow said
I was eager to hear the last words of the man who was about to breathe his last.


He said they let me out of prison out in Frisco
The man revealed that he had been released from jail in San Francisco.


For ten long years I've paid for what I've done
He had been in prison for a decade and had served his punishment for a crime he had committed.


I was trying to get back to Louisiana
His intention was to go to Louisiana.


To see my Rose and get to know my son
He had a daughter named Rose and a son whom he had never met before.


Give my love to Rose please won't you mister
The man asked me to pass on his love to his daughter Rose.


Take her all my money, tell her to buy some pretty clothes
He wanted me to give all his money to his daughter and ask her to spend it on herself.


Tell my boy his daddy's so proud of him
The man wanted me to inform his son that he was really proud of him.


And don't forget to give my love to Rose
The man reiterated his request for me to give his love to his daughter Rose.


Won't you tell them I said thanks for waiting for me
He wanted me to express his gratitude to his family for waiting for him.


Tell my boy to help his mom at home
He urged me to tell his son to assist his mother at home.


Tell my Rose to try to find another
The man requested me to advise his daughter Rose to find someone else to start a relationship with.


For it ain't right that she should live alone
He believed that it was not good for his daughter Rose to live alone.


Mister here's a bag with all my money
The man gave me a bag full of money.


It won't last them long the way it goes
He knew that the money would not last long.


God bless you for finding me this morning
He prayed that God bless me for finding him that day.


And don't forget to give my love to Rose
He repeated his request to pass on his love to his daughter Rose.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHNNY R. CASH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Jason Roberts

Johnny cash did it like no body eles

Yeah there are greats like Elvis

But no one touch your soul like cash No1

With his songs ....
They speak to you everyone of us
I might not have know him face to face

But way he sings I feel like his a man I knew all my life ..... Why course some part of his song related to me ( us even )

Rip the man in black ❤️



All comments from YouTube:

asdfkie

The man will be remembered forever. His music will echo across the centuries. Strangers will hear his name long after he's gone. Rest in peace Johnny Cash.

Antonio ortiz Ortiz

Llegan al corazón
Dios te tenga a yo y a tu adorada esposa con el
Bendiciones siempre.

Zuzanna Wisniewska

Listening in 2023. I remember that song.

SteveJobsIsDead

Johnny Cash is very possibly one of the greatest musicians ever to live every song he sings people can connect to it and feel the emotions and the storys

Victor Santiago

Amazing story teller

Dob Marley

@Vee Friend no need to be particular

Vee Friend

No, not the one of the best "musicians", he was one of the best songster story tellers of all time. With a mature voice so unique.

Wullie Mccreadie

Gets me in the gut every time. Great emotive musician, great song. God bless Johnny Cash.

Ronny Gürtler

You are so right, Man!!!👍😎🤠

P Hudo

Yes sir. Every time I listen to the song as soon as I hear the guitar coming in my eyes get sweaty!

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