Lyrics of
The Rose

The Rose, composed by Amanda McBroom and popularized by Bette Midler, was inspired by a song McBroom heard on the soundtrack of the movie Madame X. Initially written for her own personal use, it became well-known after being chosen as the theme for the 1979 movie The Rose starring Midler.

Some say love, it is a river,
That drowns the tender reed
Some say love, it is a razor,
That leaves your soul to bleed
Some say love, it is a hunger,
An endless aching need
I say love, it is a flower and
You its only seed

It's the heart afraid of breaking
That never learns to dance
It's the dream afraid of waking
That never takes the chance
It's the one who won't be taken
Who cannot seem to give
And the soul afraid of dying
That never learns to live

When the night has been too lonely
And the road has been too long
And you think that love is only
For the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter
Far beneath the bitter snow
Lies the seed that with the sun's love,
In the spring becomes the rose