Banks Of The Roses Lyrics

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Banks Of The Roses

A traditional song which was a likely inspiration for
Where The Wild Roses Grow. Nick's song is also
available.

When I was a wee thing, I heard my mother say
That I was meant for rambling and would easy go astray
And before that I would work, I would rather sport and
play
With my Johnny on the banks of red roses


On the banks of red roses, my love and I sat down
He took out his tuning box to play his love a tune
In the middle of the tune, his love got up and cried
Oh Johnny, lovely Johnny, would you leave me?


So they walked and they talked until they came upon a
cave
Where the night before her darling had spent digging on
her grave
Aye, the night before her darling had spent digging on
her grave
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of red roses


Oh no, oh no, cried she, that grave's not meant for me
Yes, oh yes, my darling, that your bridal bed shall be
Yes, oh yes, my darling, that your bridal bed shall be
And he's made her to lie down on red roses


And all on his way homeward, his heart was filled with
fear
Every maid he came upon, he thought it was his dear
Yes, every maid he came upon, he thought it was his
dear
Who he made to lie down on red roses