Everything's Coming Up Roses
Kirby Stone Four Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rose just took the stand
She's divorcin' me for reasons
I still don't understand
That dress is showin' more of her
Than I've seen in years
And the story that she's tellin's
She's accusin' me of hangin' out
With girls of ill repute
Adultery, abandonment
Even alcohol abuse
I just heard my mother shout
Your honor throw the book
And even my attorney
Just gave me a dirty look
Everything's coming up roses
The house, the car
The kids and all the cash
Everything's coming up roses
And I'll be lucky
If I keep the shirt that's on my back
My head is buried in my hands
The courtroom is adjourned
She got all I ever made
And all I'll ever earn
If I had a handkerchief
I'd break right down and cry
Why, even Johnny Carson
Got a better deal than mine
Everything's coming up roses
The house, the car
The kids and all the cash
Everything's coming up roses
And I'll be lucky
If I keep the shirt that's on my back
Everything's coming up roses
And I'll be lucky
If I keep the shirt that's on my back
The lyrics of Kirby Stone Four's song "Everything's Coming Up Roses" tell the story of a man who finds himself in a courtroom during his divorce proceedings. The man, represented by his attorney, is confused and still trying to understand the reasons his wife, Rose, wants a divorce.
The first verse describes Rose taking the stand, dressed in a way that is more revealing than he has seen in years. Her testimony is so powerful that even the judge is moved to tears. She accuses him of various transgressions, including hanging out with women of questionable reputation, committing adultery, abandoning her, and even struggling with alcohol abuse.
In the second verse, the man's mother shouts for the judge to throw the book at him, implying a desire for harsh punishment for his alleged wrongdoings. Even his own attorney seems disapproving, giving him a dirty look. The man realizes that everything seems to be going Rose's way – the house, the car, the kids, and all the money. He laments that he will be lucky if he can keep the shirt on his back, symbolizing that he might lose everything.
The third verse depicts the man's despair as he buries his head in his hands, feeling defeated. The courtroom is adjourned, indicating that the proceedings have come to an end. The man realizes that Rose has taken everything he ever earned and will earn in the future. He expresses his sadness, saying that even Johnny Carson, a famous television personality at the time, got a better deal in his divorce.
The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the man's sense of helplessness and his recognition that everything is going in Rose's favor. He is left feeling fortunate if he can retain even the shirt on his back, highlighting the extent of his potential losses.
Overall, the lyrics convey the man's despair and frustration as he navigates the divorce proceedings. The song touches on themes of betrayal, loss, and the unevenness of the legal system, leaving the listener with a sense of sympathy for the singer's plight.
Line by Line Meaning
Here we are in court today
We are currently in court for our divorce proceedings
Rose just took the stand
My ex-wife, Rose, has just testified in court
She's divorcin' me for reasons I still don't understand
She is filing for divorce, but I am not clear on the exact reasons
That dress is showin' more of her than I've seen in years
Her choice of dress is revealing and exposes more of her body than I am used to seeing
And the story that she's tellin's even got the judge in tears
Her testimony is so emotional that even the judge is moved to tears
She's accusin' me of hangin' out with girls of ill repute
She is claiming that I associate with women of questionable character
Adultery, abandonment, even alcohol abuse
She is accusing me of cheating, leaving her behind, and having a problem with alcohol
I just heard my mother shout, your honor throw the book
My mother has exclaimed for the judge to give me the harshest punishment
And even my attorney just gave me a dirty look
Even my own lawyer disapproves of my actions or situation
The house, the car, the kids and all the cash
In the divorce settlement, she is awarded the house, car, custody of the children, and all the money
My head is buried in my hands, the courtroom is adjourned
I am distraught and overwhelmed, and the court session has ended
She got all I ever made and all I'll ever earn
She received all the assets I have accumulated and will earn in the future
If I had a handkerchief, I'd break right down and cry
I am so devastated that if I had a handkerchief, I would openly weep
Why, even Johnny Carson got a better deal than mine
I feel that even a well-known figure like Johnny Carson had a more favorable outcome in his divorce compared to mine
And I'll be lucky if I keep the shirt that's on my back
I have lost so much that I consider it fortunate if I can even retain my basic clothing
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Unison Rights S.L., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jule Styne, Stephen Sondheim
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jeffboettcher2531
Think I have this on an early 60's Columbia Special Products collection, one that I got almost 30 years ago!
@stevesizemore6274
Starting here, starting now...it will be !
@2000toddowen
Happy New Year once again!
@2000toddowen
Always puts me in the mind of New Years Day and the "Tournament Of Roses Parade".
@2000toddowen
I had a feeling 2021 wasn't going to be so great. And boy, was I right.
I've a feeling just as strong that 2022 is going to swing that pendulum back into the positive!
Oh YEAH, Baby! Just you all watch.
@hnc52
This certainly doesn't have the drama that it does in Gypsy,but it is fun.
@AuthenticPrestige
Makes you want to learn to do the Foxtrot.
@richirvine4519
Just love it! I only hear them do "Baubles, bangles & beads" in 1958. I've always loved their sound and thanks to YouTube and the internet I got to hear their work again. THey should have released it shortly after Les Paul's and Mary Ford's "How high The Moon". Why did they wait so long? It was a great pop sound. Maybe Les Paul had the balls and dumption to do his music so early on.
@GK-ev5rd
WCAR-DETROIT would play the heck out of this!