Lyr Add: Roses in the Snow (Ruth Franks)

Subject: Lyr Add: ROSES IN THE SNOW (Franks) - Emmylou H
From: Genie
Date: 17 Jun 06 - 01:23 AM

I finally found the lyrics to the song Roses In The Snow, recorded by Emmylou Harris. The transcriptionist at the site where I found them had done the same "mondegreen" that I myself did for many months.

They had the last line of the chorus as "... and threw our roses in the snow." LOL

I have a recording of Emmylou singing and when I listen carefully to the lyrics, it's perfectly clear she's singing "grew," not "threw." that makes much much more sense in the context.

Here are the lyrics:

ROSES IN THE SNOW
(Ruth Franks)

I met my darlin' in the springtime
When all the flowers were in bloom,
And like the flowers our love blossomed.
We married in the month of June.

Our love was like a burning ember.
It warmed us as the cold winds blow.
We had sunshine in December
And grew our Roses In The Snow.

Now God has taken my darlin'
And left me with a memory.
A memory I will always cherish
Are these last words he said to me:

"Our love was like a burning ember,
It warmed us as the cold winds blow.
We had sunshine in December
And grew our Roses In The Snow."

My darlin's buried on the hillside
Where all the wild spring flowers grow,
And when the winter snows start fallin',
On his grave I'll place a rose.

Our love was like a burning ember
It warmed us as the cold winds blow.*
We had sunshine in December
And grew our Roses In The Snow.



*The transcription site I found had that line as "It warmed us as a golden glow" -- which makes sense and sounds good, but that is not what Emmylou sings.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Roses In The Snow (Franks) - Emmylou
From: pdq
Date: 17 Jun 06 - 12:44 PM

This is one of Emmylou's best songs ever.

The whole album is great. The song selection leaves a bit to be desired, but the presence of Ricky Skaggs, Jerry Dougles, Brian Ahern, Herb Pederson, Albert Lee and Tony Rice make it as much a 'progressive bluegrass' record as it is 'traditional country'.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Roses In The Snow (Franks) - Emmylou H
From: Genie
Date: 17 Jun 06 - 01:24 PM

Oops!   I see I didn't fully edit the transcribed lyrics I found before I posted them!

The last line, all the way through, is "... and GREW our roses in the snow."

Genie

Yeah, pdq, I'd call it "progressive bluegrass" too. And I agree the ensemble sounds great!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Roses In The Snow (Franks) - Emmylou
From: open mike
Date: 17 Jun 06 - 01:32 PM

what disc is this from, and when was it recorded?

Subject: RE: Add: Roses In The Snow (Franks) - Emmylou Harris
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 18 Jun 06 - 06:10 AM

While you are raving about Emmy Lou's version and where to find it, may I suggest that you seek out the album from which I believe Emmy Lou first heard it.
The album is Bluer than Midnight on County 768, the artist is Delia Bell. Now, there's a singer. Not sure if Dave Freeman at County has or is going to re-issue this but she is a great singer and there are some other good songs on there too. Well worth a listen if you are into good strong female country voices.

Without checking it out, my memory of the last lines are;
We'll have sunshine in December
And Well have roses in the snow.

Whatever, it's a good song.

Subject: RE: Add: Roses In The Snow (Franks) - Emmylou Harris
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 18 Jun 06 - 09:49 AM

Checked it out, my memory played tricks. You have the correct words for the last line.

Subject: RE: Add: Roses In The Snow (Franks) - Emmylou Harris
From: Ron Davies
Date: 18 Jun 06 - 09:59 AM

Album is called "Roses in the Snow"--came out in 1980, I believe. For my money, by far the best thing Emmylou ever did--as PDQ notes, she had wonderful assistance.

The only unfortunate part is "The Boxer"--which didn't fit in a solidly traditional album.

There are all sorts of just delightful songs, all done with love, with a spare, bluegrass-type arrangment. One I'd never heard of in 1980 is "Miss the Mississippi" which Emmylou did in a melancholy, dreamy way--just perfect.

And what's more, I've found the album was a big hit commercially! Quality was actually recognized by the public--not always the case, to say the least.

Subject: RE: Add: Roses In The Snow (Franks) - Emmylou Harris
From: Ron Davies
Date: 18 Jun 06 - 10:06 AM

"solidly traditional"--well OK, I consider bluegrass to be traditional--unless jazzed up or doing big rock hits. You may disagree.

Subject: RE: Add: Roses In The Snow (Franks) - Emmylou Harris
From: Genie
Date: 18 Jun 06 - 05:52 PM

Hootenanny, the lyrics I posted are transcribed from Emmylou's recording (and they are not hard to understand, so I'm sure the transcription is correct).

As I posted, the song was written by Ruth Franks. I don't know if Emmyou modified them at all. Nor do I know if Delia Bell's version --
"We'll have sunshine in December
And Well have roses in the snow." -- is the original lyric.

(But since my dear little sister, who very recently went to join Rick Fielding in that angel choir, was named Delia, I definitely will have to check out Delia Bell's version if I can find it.

Subject: RE: Add: Roses In The Snow (Franks) - Emmylou Harris
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 19 Jun 06 - 07:21 AM

Genie,

Please read my second posting above posted about seven hours before your reply. I did check my Delia Bell recording and admitted that my
memory was incorrect. I agreed that you had the correct words.

I believe that Emmy Lou got the song from Delia Bell and also got her assigned to a larger record company. It seems the company put out one album and then dropped her. Bell had/has several other albums available but the County in my opinion is the best.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Roses in the Snow (Ruth Franks)
From: GUEST,Gigi womack
Date: 30 Mar 15 - 10:10 AM

Anybody have an idea when Roses in the Snow was written? Can't find anything on the net abt Ruth Franks.