The rose
Midler Bette Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Some say love, it is a river
That drowns the tender reed
Some say love, it is a razor
That leaves your soul to bleed
Some say love, it is a hunger
An endless aching need
I say love, it is a flower
And you, its only seed

It's the heart afraid of breaking
That never learns to dance
It's the dream afraid of waking
That never takes the chance
It's the one who won't be taken
Who cannot seem to give
And the soul afraid of dying
That never learns to live

When the night has been too lonely
And the road has been too long
And you think that love is only
For the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter
Far beneath the bitter snows




Lies the seed that with the sun's love
In the spring becomes the rose

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bette Midler's The Rose describe the different perceptions of love. The first few lines illustrate the various beliefs about what love is, some say it is a force that can leave you helpless, while others say it is something that can cause pain. But according to the singer, love is likened to a flower, where the person she loves is the seed that will bloom fully. The next few lines illustrate the things that block us from experiencing love. Fear of being hurt and the reluctance to take risks are factors that keep us from grasping the full benefits of love. The lyrics urge us to let go of our fears and embrace love despite the risks that it brings for those who cannot receive love or those who are afraid of dying never able to truly live.


The last verse of the song encourages us to remember that life is full of seasons where every aspect of life has its time. Winter can be a difficult time where everything appears to be cold and lifeless; however, it is in such a season that hope can arise, and new beginnings can happen. This can be related to difficult times in relationships, where love may seem lost but there is hope for a rekindling of romance if they are willing to wait. Just as the sun's love brings the barren seed to life in spring, the love that lies within us can also bring about growth, healing, and new beginnings.


Line by Line Meaning

Some say love, it is a river
There are people who view love as a flowing river.


That drowns the tender reed
This type of love can submerge and overwhelm the feeble reeds that can't withstand the force of its current.


Some say love, it is a razor
Love is also seen by some as a sharp-edged tool intended to cut through the deepest part of your being.


That leaves your soul to bleed
Once the razor-like love cuts through the soul, it leads to tremendous emotional pain and suffering.


Some say love, it is a hunger
Love could be perceived as an insatiable appetite that knows no bounds.


An endless aching need
It causes an ongoing and painful yearning that never seems to be fulfilled.


I say love, it is a flower
The singer believes that love is similar to a wonderful and colorful flower.


And you, its only seed
This love can only grow if you provide it with the right nourishment and care.


It's the heart afraid of breaking
People who fear getting hurt and heartbroken may struggle to open up their hearts fully.


That never learns to dance
As a result, they never learn the art of love and never experience its fullness and joy.


It's the dream afraid of waking
The fear of waking up from a perfect dream could hinder a person from pursuing real happiness.


That never takes the chance
He or she may give up or not take a risk, leading to missed opportunities.


It's the one who won't be taken
People who refuse to let others get close to them could miss out on the joys of love.


Who cannot seem to give
This may be because they struggle to show vulnerability or because they lack the capacity to love in a healthy way.


And the soul afraid of dying
The fear of death could make people feel like there isn't enough time to find or enjoy love.


That never learns to live
Unless they overcome their fear, they will never get to experience the fullness and beauty of life.


When the night has been too lonely
When a person feels lonely and desolate, with no hope in sight.


And the road has been too long
The journey toward finding love seems too long, and the person is ready to give up on the journey.


And you think that love is only
At times, a person may feel that love is only intended for a select group of people, such as the strong and the lucky.


For the lucky and the strong
People who have good fortune or are emotionally robust are the only ones capable of finding and experiencing love.


Just remember in the winter
During the dreary winter months when everything seems hopeless and dead.


Far beneath the bitter snows
Below the snow-covered ground that seems barren and unproductive.


Lies the seed that with the sun's love
Despite appearances, there is still a seed of love present, and with proper nourishment, it can grow.


In the spring becomes the rose
When spring comes, the seed that was buried and appeared lifeless will flourish into a beautiful and vibrant rose.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Amanda McBroom

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@KRUDDYMUSICIAN

This was the song my grandmother asked me to sing at her funeral in the future.

I want to make sure I sing it perfectly, but I don't want to practice because it will remind me of when the day actually comes.
She's 78 now. I love her to bits.

I just want to do it without crying in the middle of it.

Im just a 20 year old guy.

Ugggggg



@logeyperogi1805

I never knew lyrics could describe me so well until I heard those words

I don’t want to live, and yet I’m too scared to let myself die

Right now, I bear through everything for those who may need me

I’m 17, I sleep with a fucking Teddy bear because I don’t want to feel alone, I act happy because I don’t want people to see me sad, I pretend to love life because I want to convince myself that I don’t want death

17, and I’m feeling all of this, after years of bullying to near suicide, abuse leading to considering running away, loneliness that led to a fear which drove people away



@barbarazuviceh6506

Shortly, The Rose, by Bette Midler , will one selection of music for my sister's memorial.
She loved it, we spoke of it many times and we only changed a few words.
This was back when it first came out.
If you only change one word, at the final line of lyrics it says, "The Seed, That With The Sun's Love, in the Spring Becomes The Rose."
My sister and I changed the words, Sun's Love to , SON'S LOVE.
Our family is a large group of Believers, therefore, we needed to use HIS name.
My sister just passed on the 25th.
Brand new pain, but so honored to be with her and her grandaughter when she breathed her last early breath.
Note: we all greive differently, in our own way, our own timing, but no one can steal the memories and history of one so close.
Be kind to yourself, those left behind from that loved one, God knows it all and will carry you when you can't move under your own strength, wisdom or knowledge.
Much love from my sister, me and our entire family.
Peace.



@heritagekebek9979

To complete the cycle, it must played the day you'll die.
If possible, when you die, at the very moment.
Then... the tape of time will go backward until the flash.
Then... You'll see ;)

That song sang by your mother at birth is a BIG PART
of residual time energies. So much emotions frozen in time
with this song as background. (Trying to explain what will
happen after the flash without telling you the direct answer,
it must be discovered by the concerned person. In that case; you.)

Good point that you shared back the melody/song to your mother.
1st, the link between her and you and 2nd the possitive energies
of the song/melody. Hope she got better.



@lavoxii

Some say love, it is a river, that drowns the tender reed
Some say love, it is a razor, that leaves your soul to bleed
Some say love, it is a hunger, an endless aching need
I say love, it is a flower, and you, its only seed
It's the heart afraid of breaking, that never learns to dance
It's the dream afraid of waking, that never takes the chance
It's the one who won't be taken, who cannot seem to give
And the soul afraid of dying, that never learns to live
When the night has been too lonely and the road has been too long
And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter, far beneath the bitter snows
Lies the seed, that with the sun's love in the spring becomes the rose



All comments from YouTube:

@IceJessie

My mom would play this on the piano every once and a while as I grew up. She passed away a few weeks ago at 49. I'm 19 and completely lost without her. I've been practicing this song on the piano so that I can keep that small part of her with me.

@mr.k.9502

I'm so sorry. I can't even imagine losing my own mother. I respect you for the pain you've went through.

@timshunamon6185

My condolences,such a beautiful honor to your Mom 😊😍

@Hard_n_Deep

Big love baby❤️

@Deadseelife

It seems it’s been 9 months since you posted this...but i hope you doing well. I can’t imagine losing a parent at such a young age. I’m so sorry.

@patriciaeastman3269

Be brave...and practice..she ll hear it every time!

528 More Replies...

@charlotteskaggs3764

My husband picked this song to play at our wedding,, married to the love of my life, over 48 years before I lost him. But it makes me realize just how blessed I was to have him in my life.

@kristyrobinson1979

I am so sorry for your loss.

@charlotteskaggs3764

@@kristyrobinson1979 Thank you

@charlotteskaggs3764

@@kristyrobinson1979 Thank you

More Comments

More Versions