It Must Have Been The Roses

Lyrics

Ten years the waves roll the ships back from the sea

Thinkin' well how it may blow in all good company

If I tell another what your own lips told to me

May I lay 'neath the roses and my eyes no longer see

I don't know, maybe it was the roses

The roses or the ribbons in her long brown hair

I don't know, maybe it was the roses

All I know is I could not leave her there

Credits

• Written by: Robert Hunter
• Produced by: (none credited)
• Recorded at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts 1987-04-16
• Musicians:

Elvis Costello - vocal, guitar

Discography

Albums:

• none

Singles:

• none

Collections:

• none

Soundtracks:

• none

Various Artists collections:

• Stolen Roses: Songs Of The Grateful Dead, 2000

Covers

Recorded by:

• Robert Hunter, on Tales Of The Great Rum Runners, 1974
• Jerry Garcia (with The Grateful Dead), on Reflections, 1976 (also on various Dead live albums; Elvis first heard the song at a September 1974 Dead concert)
• The Persuasions, on Might as Well...The Persuasions Sing Grateful Dead, 2000

Bootlegs

• none