The Nightingale And The Rose

from When The Music Ends by Jon Fletcher

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about

Based on the short story of the same name by Oscar Wilde

lyrics

She said that she would dance with me said the young man with a sigh
If I should bring a red rose, but it causes me to cry
For there's no red rose in my garden, and I fear she'll pass me by

No red rose in my garden and that I cannot mend
I've studied the philosophy and wisest words of men
But still upon this little thing my happiness depends

The nightingale she heard him from her nest up in a tree
And flew a little closer down this young man for to see
Saying never was before my eyes a sight so sad as he

And is this not the story I have long been singing of?
On the cloudless summer nights up to the moon and stars above
So I must find a rose for him that he may win his love

But the first bush bore a rose as white as snows of winters cold
The next bush roses yellow as the mermaid's hair of gold
And last beneath the window ledge was a bush all withered up and old

And she says oh withered rose-bush, won't you give me one red rose
I'll sing for you the sweetest song that Earth or Heaven knows
But I have no flower to give you since the winters frost my branches froze

And if you'd have a rose from me there is but just one way
And I dare not tell it to you for it's too terrible to say
No tell me says the nightingale for I am not afraid

You must build a rose from music, from your sweetest, saddest song
When the moon shines on my branches you must sing the whole night long
And you must stain it with heart's blood til your life becomes my own

Young man, she sang, you'll have your flower, but swear you'll love her true
For life is dear, but dearer still the love I see in you
And as the night grew nearer- she knew what she must do


She pressed her breast against a thorn and soon it pierced her skin
And bitter pain run through her veins as she began to sing
Of a young boy and a young maid, and love's first awakening

She pressed a little harder, and the thorn went deep inside
And as the pain grew sharper, the louder still she cried
As she sang a song of passion, of a young man and his blushing bride

The thorn went ever deeper and how the blood did flow
The earth stood still to listen as she sung high and low
And there upon the withered bush a rose began to grow

Then the thorn it went right through her heart and little life was left
Now softly sang the nightingale all with her final breath
Of the love that is perfected- that does not fade with death

And as the dawn was breaking, the nightingale lay dead
The moon still lingered in the sky, a silver tear she shed
And there upon the withered bush grew a rose of the deepest crimson red

And the young man on awakening looks out and sees the rose
With joy he greets the day for here's the cure for all his woes
And he picks the flower and straight away to see his love he goes

Crying love I bring the reddest rose that ever eyes did see
So will you keep your promise now to dance the night with me
For it's long time that I've waited, and no truer love could be

Oh your red rose will not complement my dress of green and blue
Besides another courts me he brings gold and jewels too
And when did such a little flower cost dear as jewels do?

credits

from When The Music Ends, released April 4, 2020
Jon Fletcher: vocal, guitar
Jane Griffiths: violin
Barney Morse-Brown: cello
Sharron Kraus: vocal

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Jon Fletcher UK

Dazzling fingerstyle guitar, gently soulful vocals and songs aimed straight at the heart: Jon Fletcher weaves strands of English folk, jazz, blues and acoustic pop into a compelling and original take on the troubadour tradition.

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