It Must Have Been The Roses

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

Ship Of Fools / It Must Have Been The Roses (Live 1987) Written by Robert Hunter ("It Must Have Been The Roses" only) Performed by Elvis Costello Musicians Elvis Costello - vocal, guitar Recorded April 16, 1987, San Jose, CA Released August 8, 2000 Various Artists collections Stolen Roses: Songs Of The Grateful Dead, 2000 Length 6:01 First known performance:  April 16, 1987, San Jose, CA      (9 known performances)

Recordings by other artists

• 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

Internal links

• Lyrics