On the hillside grew a lovely rose a beauty to behold.
The sun and rain did bless the rose, and nature smiled, it was told.
Proud was the rose midst the widowhood, its fragrance pure as finest gold.
All creation understood and bowed, as its petals would unfold.
Soon the weeds did gather ’round the rose.
“Share with us your beauty,” they asked in coy repose.
“Give us each one petal, for then we all will be
beautiful and worthy, to stand with dignity.”
“Run from the beggar's ticks, run from the horsetail,
run, run away,” was the cry of the loon.
“Stay,” cried the shepherd’s purse, “Stay,” cried the thorn tree.
“Listen to your heart,” came a plea from the moon.
Then a stillness settled on the land.
The rose, in all her wisdom, stretched out a gentle hand
and touched each one around her; none was to be denied.
She knew the secret of their beauty came from deep inside.
“Each of you is part of a plan from above.
You give life to others, there is no greater love.
Be strong in one another, and then you all will see
you won’t need any petals, you have your dignity.”
On the hillside grew a lovely rose, a friend amid the wild.
The sun and rain did bless the rose, and nature smiled.
And nature smiled.
The poem is allegorical. It makes reference to a number of weeds (widowhood) that may be un-familiar to the singer, namely beggar’s ticks, horsetail, shepherd’s purse, and thorn tree. The song is through-composed (new music provided for each verse); it is written in the modern folk style.