1880 or So
O rose in my heart, can't you see
I don't belong to misery
Though she speaks fine with subtle art
Such misery clothes the rose in my heart.

Now what I see in the long twilight
Star falls down on a hill so white.

A face that glows in a golden hue
No-one in this world knows what they do
I take my oath and I make my vow
For the tender things are upon me now.

In the fragrance sweet of the evening air
I could leave this world quite without a care.

O rose in my heart, the vision dims
The time is brief, now the shadows swim,
I'll buy for you a real fine hat
Cause that's for you and that's where it's at.

Now what I see in the long twilight
Star falls down on a hill so white.

Rose in my heart, rose in my heart.

Tom Verlaine

I fell in love with this song when I heard the line: 'I'll buy for you a real fine hat'. For some reason it reminded me of those great old Westerns like My Darling Clementine. I later discovered that Tom Verlaine got his inspiration from some sentimental verses published in the personal columns of late 19th century newspapers. Which is just as good really.