Roses
July For Kings Lyrics


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People are saying
You murdered your ex-wife
Did you use a shotgun a rope or a kitchen knife?
I know you better than that
I don't believe it's true.

It was easier for you just to let it go
You're always digging around in the dirt i know
But it was all just talk they couldn't prove it true
I know you better than that i swear to god i do

Your backyard's full of roses
Is there something you're keeping to yourself
Your backyard's full of roses
Were you digging a hole for something else?

You're singing hallelujah, hallelujah at Sunday morning mass
Will my heart refuse to charge a man of God with the Devil's craft

She's been missing for almost eleven years
It's hard to believe she just up and disappeared
But if it could happen i guess it could happen to you

People are saying "what did you do it for?
Is it because she wasn't 22 anymore?"
Everybody knew
But they couldn't prove it true

I know you better than that
At least i hope i do

Your backyard's full of roses
Is there something you're keeping to yourself
Your backyard's full of roses
Were you digging a hole for something else?

Now how would you sleep
How would you sleep
With that voice in your head?
How would you sleep
How would you sleep with that ghost in your bed?

Shut it out shut it out to live with what you'd done
When the weight of it really sank in
You'd have to tell someone
You're singing hallelujah hallelujah at Sunday mass
Could it be a man of God has his heart in the Devil's grasp?

Your backyard's full of roses
Is there something you're keeping to yourself
Your backyard's full of roses
Were you digging a hole for something else?
Your backyard's full of roses
Is it full of roses
Is it full of roses
Is it full of roses
Is it full of roses




Is it full of roses
Is there something you're keeping to yourself?

Overall Meaning

The song "Roses" by July For Kings is a haunting and mysterious tale about a person accused of murdering their ex-wife. The singer of the song is someone who knew the accused well and does not believe that they could have committed such a crime. The accused person's backyard is full of roses, which leads the singer to wonder if they are hiding something or if they have buried something else in the backyard.


The lyrics are full of imagery and possible clues to what might have happened, but they leave the listener with more questions than answers. The accused person sings "Hallelujah" at Sunday morning mass, but the singer wonders if they are really a man of God or if they have been taken over by the Devil.


The chorus repeats the line "Your backyard's full of roses" multiple times, which adds to the sense of foreboding and tension in the song. It is clear that the singer is conflicted about what they believe about the accused person, but they are also haunted by the possibility that the accusations might be true.


Overall, "Roses" is a complex and thought-provoking song that leaves a lasting impression on the listener.


Line by Line Meaning

People are saying
Rumors are spreading about you


You murdered your ex-wife
You killed your former partner


Did you use a shotgun a rope or a kitchen knife?
What method did you use to commit the crime?


I know you better than that
I have a good idea of who you really are


I don't believe it's true.
I am skeptical of the claims against you


It was easier for you just to let it go
You could have avoided this situation if you had just moved on


You're always digging around in the dirt i know
You have a tendency to investigate or stir up trouble


But it was all just talk they couldn't prove it true
There was no concrete evidence to support the allegations


Your backyard's full of roses
You have a lot of flowers in your yard


Is there something you're keeping to yourself
Is there a secret or hidden truth that you are not sharing?


Were you digging a hole for something else?
Were you burying something other than a plant?


You're singing hallelujah, hallelujah at Sunday morning Mass
You are praising God in church


Will my heart refuse to charge a man of God with the Devil's craft
I struggle with the idea of accusing a religious person of a terrible act


She's been missing for almost eleven years
Your ex-partner has been gone for a long time


It's hard to believe she just up and disappeared
It seems unlikely that she simply vanished without a trace


But if it could happen i guess it could happen to you
If such a strange thing could happen to her, maybe it could happen to you too


People are saying 'what did you do it for?
People are asking what motivated you to commit the crime


Is it because she wasn't 22 anymore?'
Did you kill her because she was getting older?


But they couldn't prove it true
No one could find any concrete evidence to support the rumors


At least i hope i do
I want to trust that I know who you really are


Now how would you sleep
How could you rest at night


With that voice in your head?
With the sound of your conscience bothering you?


How would you sleep with that ghost in your bed?
How could you live with the memory of what you've done?


Shut it out shut it out to live with what you'd done
Block out the thoughts and feelings associated with the crime to cope with it


When the weight of it really sank in
When the true gravity of the situation became apparent


You'd have to tell someone
You would have to confide in someone about what you did


Could it be a man of God has his heart in the Devil's grasp?
Is it possible that even religious leaders are capable of evil?


Is it full of roses
Are the flowers the only thing in your yard?


Is there something you're keeping to yourself?
Are you hiding something?




Contributed by Julia F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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