Rose Garden
Shad Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I didn't promise you a rose garden
Along with the sunshine
There's gotta be some rain sometimes
Watch out
I didn't promise you a rose garden (Yeah)
Along with the sunshine
There's gotta be some rain sometimes
Listen, ok

When Abraham went to slash Issac
In a sense he baptized him
Rabbi said don't trust in cash prizes
Same things that float your boat can capsize it
Tell the snakes they can take a hike like gas prices
No such things as half-way crooks or half righteous, yeah
Those who have eyes should act like it
To help the sightless seeking the light switch
To see in the night with, we leading the lifeless
Sometimes I just wanna play some shows, make some dough
Take it home, lay in my bed, and stay in my safety zone
But Cee-Lo said it best
I know too much and I owe too much to let it rest
Heard a voice say hey
You never question when you get the blessings
So don't get vexed when your life is stressed
And I promised I'll be with you no matter what the issue
But there will be some issues to address
Listen to the lady in the dress

I didn't promise you a rose garden
Along with the sunshine, uh huh
There's gotta be some rain sometimes
I beg your pardon, I didn't promise you a rose garden
Along with the sunshine
There's gotta be a little rain sometimes (rain feels like this, check it)

I'm not in the zone, there's too much in the way
I weigh two bucks and if I had two slugs to spray
Like raa raa, Glenn Beck better duck like foie gras
Make shots poke his face like Gaga
But mama says forgive,
So I give him that bar like a Mars then let him live
The missing saga continues, rantin'
While my DJ's lamping like Green Lantern, sampling
Mansions? Nah, I ain't rich as Richard Branson
I'm King Kong meets Vince Vaughn and I play like a champion
In my Monday ball league, nah B, all week
Seven days of black power naps every forty eight half hours
That's twenty four starring Jack Bauer
Can't cower when the rain falls
And it falls whether you're Gandhi or you're Adolf
Fall weather vendors always are way off
Make the call no rain delay
Play ball

I didn't promise you a rose garden (No)
Along with the sunshine (Yeah)
There's gotta be some rain sometimes
I beg your pardon, I didn't promise you a rose garden (Uh huh, Uh huh)
Along with the sunshine (Yeah)
There's gotta be a little rain sometimes
I beg your pardon, I didn't promise you a rose garden
Along with the sunshine
There's gotta be a little rain sometimes
I didn't promise you a rose garden
Along with the sunshine
There's gotta be some rain sometimes
I didn't promise you a rose garden




Along with the sunshine
There's gotta be some rain sometimes

Overall Meaning

In Shad's "Rose Garden," the lyrics state that there is no promised rose garden and that sometimes, with sunshine, there must be rain. This notion is expanded upon throughout the song, as the lyrics touch on difficult life circumstances, such as Abraham nearly sacrificing Isaac, and the pressure to forgive those who hurt us. Shad shares his perspective on life's challenges and the need to embrace the storms that come. The song's main message is that it's not all sunshine; there's bound to be rain, but we need to endure and grow stronger from it.


Line by Line Meaning

I didn't promise you a rose garden
I didn't promise a life without difficulties or hardships.


Along with the sunshine
In addition to the good times.


There's gotta be some rain sometimes
There will be struggles and obstacles to overcome.


Watch out
Be aware and prepared for challenges.


Listen, ok
Pay attention to what I'm saying.


When Abraham went to slash Issac
Referring to the biblical story of Abraham being willing to sacrifice Isaac, which has a metaphorical meaning of being willing to sacrifice something important for a cause.


In a sense he baptized him
In a way, the experience transformed Isaac for the better.


Rabbi said don't trust in cash prizes
Material possessions should not be the sole focus of our lives.


Same things that float your boat can capsize it
Things that bring you happiness can also bring you down.


Tell the snakes they can take a hike like gas prices
Get rid of people who are deceitful and untrustworthy.


No such things as half-way crooks or half righteous, yeah
You can't be partially committed to something, you have to be all in or all out.


Those who have eyes should act like it
People who are aware of issues/problems should actively work to solve them.


To help the sightless seeking the light switch
To assist those who are struggling to find a solution to a problem.


To see in the night with, we leading the lifeless
We are guiding those who are lost or struggling to find their way.


Sometimes I just wanna play some shows, make some dough
Sometimes I just want to focus on making money through performing.


Take it home, lay in my bed, and stay in my safety zone
After performing, I just want to relax and stay in my comfort zone.


But Cee-Lo said it best
Referencing a quote from the musician Cee-Lo Green that resonates with the songwriter.


I know too much and I owe too much to let it rest
There is too much at stake for me to just stop and relax.


Heard a voice say hey
A feeling or intuition that the songwriter is trying to explain.


You never question when you get the blessings
When you receive good things in life, don't take them for granted.


So don't get vexed when your life is stressed
Don't panic when things get difficult.


And I promised I'll be with you no matter what the issue
A personal promise to be there for someone through any challenge or difficulty.


But there will be some issues to address
Acknowledging that there will be struggles and challenges along the way.


Listen to the lady in the dress
Listen to and respect the perspectives of women.


I'm not in the zone, there's too much in the way
The songwriter is not feeling fully focused due to distractions or obstacles.


I weigh two bucks and if I had two slugs to spray
I am not physically imposing or intimidating.


Like raa raa, Glenn Beck better duck like foie gras
A violent and aggressive phrase directed towards a public figure.


Make shots poke his face like Gaga
A violent and aggressive phrase directed towards a public figure.


But mama says forgive,
Referencing a teaching about the power of forgiveness.


So I give him that bar like a Mars then let him live
After attacking or threatening someone, the songwriter decides to let them go unharmed.


The missing saga continues, rantin'
The ongoing story or issue is still unresolved and causing frustration.


While my DJ's lamping like Green Lantern, sampling
While my DJ is relaxed and enjoying himself, he is also working and playing music.


Mansions? Nah, I ain't rich as Richard Branson
I am not wealthy enough to own a mansion like Richard Branson.


I'm King Kong meets Vince Vaughn and I play like a champion
The songwriter is confident and powerful, but also plays with humor and enjoyment.


In my Monday ball league, nah B, all week
The songwriter is dedicated and committed to playing basketball all week.


Seven days of black power naps every forty eight half hours
The songwriter is emphasizing the importance of rest and rejuvenation.


That's twenty four starring Jack Bauer
Referencing the TV show 24 and the singer Jack Bauer.


Can't cower when the rain falls
Don't give up or be intimidated when faced with challenges or difficulties.


And it falls whether you're Gandhi or you're Adolf
Difficulties are universal and affect everyone, regardless of their character or history.


Fall weather vendors always are way off
People who predict weather are often wrong, even in the fall season.


Make the call no rain delay
Don't wait or hesitate when faced with a challenge, take action immediately.


Play ball
Keep moving forward and working towards your goals.




Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Shadrach Paul Kabango, Ryan Kondrat, John Lamagna, Terence K T Lo, Lisa Dawn Lobsinger

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
Comments from YouTube:

@ImBodHi

i first heard this when i was 17! i am 26 now, still gives me the chills! TIMELESS

@leevenable8628

Bro I was 19 and now I'm 29. I feel it too

@StrangeRealitiesNStardustWaves

Funny how some things come full circle, was 16 now 27 hah, cheers

@RequestAssassin

Whoa I can’t remember if I was 17 or 18 but I’m 28 now! Are we forming a gang? The Rose Gardens?

@StrangeRealitiesNStardustWaves

@@RequestAssassin maybe not forming a gang per se but perhaps a form of synchronicity? Either way kinda cool

@ImBodHi

Update, I am now 28 still feel the same way 🏆

11 More Replies...

@wan.gito6000

This dude shaped the songs of my childhood! The king of Canadian Hip-Hop 👑

@gurdeeph95

this was the shit man. cant believe its been 6 years.

Edit: 11 years now. Madness.

Edit 2: 12 years this May!! Good god.

@quietman208

right. i was 12 when i first found this.

@gurdeeph95

Romance Nyogu I was 14, it was amazing man.

More Comments

More Versions