Give Me The Roses While I Live

Jimmy Martin

Written by R.H. Cornelius and James Rowe

Key of G · Chords: I IV V

Verse 1

G
Wonderful things of folks are said
D7                    G
When they have passed away
Roses adorn the narrow bed
D7                G
Over the sleeping clay

Verse 2

C                 G
Give me the roses while I live
                   D7
Trying to cheer me on
G
Useless are flowers that you give
D7                G
After the soul is gone

Verse 3

Praises are heard not by the dead
D7                G
Roses they cannot speak
Let us not wait till souls have fled
D7                  G
Generous friends to be

Verse 2

C                 G
Give me the roses while I live
                   D7
Trying to cheer me on
G
Useless are flowers that you give
D7                G
After the soul is gone

Verse 4

Faults are forgiven when folks lie
D7               G
Cold in a narrow bed
Let us forgive them ere they die
D7                      G
Now should the words be said

Verse 2

C                 G
Give me the roses while I live
                   D7
Trying to cheer me on
G
Useless are flowers that you give
D7                G
After the soul is gone