Wonderful things of folks are said
When they have passed away
Roses adorn their narrow bed
Over the sleeping clay

Give me the roses while I live
Trying to cheer me on
Useless are flowers that you give
After the soul is gone
Let us not wait to do good deeds
Till they have passed away
Now is the time to sow good seeds
While here on earth we stay

Give me the roses while I live
Trying to cheer me on
Useless are flowers that you give
After the soul is gone
Kind words are useless when folks lie
Cold in a narrow bed
Don't wait till death to speak kind words
Now should the words be said

Give me the roses while I live
Trying to cheer me on
Useless are flowers that you give
After the soul is gone

Give me the roses while I live
Don't wait until I die
To spread the roses over my grave
To see as you pass it by

Give me the roses while I live
Trying to cheer me on
Useless are flowers that you give
After the soul is gone