G'day Newfigirl,

I know that there is a good old "weepy" waltz, with song called Only the Leaf of a Rose. I play this one in a set of waltz tunes, but the story is not quite as dire as your one. In this, if I remeber correctly, the man says his love had to decide whether to marry him, for love ... or to marry a rich man, to save the family fortunes.

She would signal her intention at the ball by wearing, either a white rose for true love ... or a red rose if she would marry the rich man. The song is a reminiscence of an old lonely man, asked by his young (nephew?) about a fade (but still red) old rose petal pressed in his book!

It may be that your song is either the source ... or a derivative of this one - Is yours in waltz time?

Regards,

Bob Bolton