Found at the Internet Archive, in Calvary Hymns (Fort Worth: R. H. Cornelius, 1925), hymn no. 296. I have boldfaced the words that are different from those posted by Joe Offer on 13-Aug-1998. Note there is an additional verse:


GIVE ME THE ROSES NOW
Words by James Rowe, music by R.H. Cornelius; ©1925.

1. Wonderful things of folks are said
When they have passed away.
Roses adorn the narrow bed
Over the sleeping clay.

CHORUS: Give me the roses while I live,
Trying to cheer me on.
Useless the flowers that you give
After the soul has gone.

2. Now is the time for words of praise,
Handshake and friendly smile.
Blessings that gladden pilgrim days
Always are well worth while. CHORUS

3. Praises are heard not by the dead.
Roses they cannot see.
Let us not wait till souls have fled
Generous friends to be. CHORUS

4. Faults are forgiven when folks lie
Cold in their narrow bed.
Let us forgive them ere they die.
Now should the words be said. CHORUS

The same song is also found in Cornelius’ Gospel Songs (Fort Worth: R. H. Cornelius, 1927), hymn no. 73.

For both of these books, Cornelius is the publisher and apparently the editor and compiler; he also composed music for some of the songs, but not all; typically (if not always), someone else wrote the words. There is no index of lyricists or composers.