Good friend, for Heavens’ sake forbear
to pluck the rose that’s growing here;
For many a season there was none:
too much rain, too little sun.

Enter this garden as a child would,
In life’s morning, all seems good.
Let wonder wander where it may.
Scarlett roses bloom today

Good Friend, for Heavens’ sake forbear
To pick the rose that’s growing here
her velvet robes will come undone,
if you should steal her from the sun.

For roses are in short supply,
These bloomed the day my mother died.
If you should take these, I’ll have none
This late in season, no more will come.