Precious things soon get lost
Up on the tracks when two paths cross
The lover I had is with another today
Tomorrow came when she went away

She was a diamond in the vein
A crimson flower in the brain

I picked my rose for the thorns
And hearts get so easily torn
I picked my rose for the thorns
And lives get so easily torn

The years have come the years will go
And then with time the years will show
I was too young then I'm too old now
Oh what I'd give to have them back somehow

She was a diamond in the vein
A crimson flower in the brain

I picked my rose for the thorns
And lives get so easily torn
I picked my rose for the thorns
I know hearts get so easily torn

The poison hit me like a shot
I knew grace until it stopped
Roses bloom before they fade
Who loves the needle loves the shade

She was a diamond in the vein
A crimson flower in the brain

But I picked my rose for the thorns
And hearts get so easily torn
I picked my rose for the thorns
I know lives get so easily torn