See the English roses spreadin' through the land, but there's a wag-'n-bietjie thorn in the African sand
There's a thorn upon the rose stems, could that be the one?
No, the thorn among the roses was Danie Theron

Temper like a fire, but cooler temperament
With his team of scouts, into battle he went
Said the horse is for the brave, commandos you must keep
Bicycles we'll ride while the enemy's asleep

Pocket full of acorns up from Stellenbosch
Planted across the Vaal, now they call it Eikenhof
Hannie Neethling lived there, the love of his life
But she was killed by the cold before she could become his wife

He's a thorn in the flesh, General Roberts, he said
£1000 reward for him alive or dead
Blew up trains and bridges, even was a spy
Wiley as a leopard, dangerous and sly

Through the English lines, stealthily he crept
Took a message to Cronjé from General De Wet
Swam the Modderriver swollen and in flood
To save the lager from the guns and spillage of blood

See the English roses spreadin' through the land, but there's a wag-'n-bietjie thorn in the African sand
There's a thorn upon the rose stems, could that be the one?
No, the thorn among the roses was Danie Theron

Alone upon a hill top to plan his next attack
Suddenly he's surrounded, pushed the enemy back
Fighting to the last, kept a whole patrol at bay
But the big British guns blew Danie away

If the Khakis get me he said, please bury me
Alongside Hannie where I grew the cyprus tree
He's not here but he leads them on, the epitaph you'll see
Led younger warriors of many battles with his legacy

Though the English roses were spread across the land
They bow their heads in honour to the courage of the man
Roses they have withered, the enemy is gone
Thorn among the roses was Danie Theron
There never was a man like Danie Theron
Thorn among the roses, Danie Theron