When I pick up my guitar
This is the song that always comes
Don't know what I'm singing 'bout and
Don't know what for
I think about you
And I think about Rosebud

Wish there was a song to sing
To bring you back
But you can't get here from nowhere I guess
Rosebud's shipwrecked up on the Ohio
Behind a wall of glass
Telling me to take care of myself
And my friends

You sing to a field of trees
And roses singing those melodies
Simple and easy where everything moves
Underneath you
And Rosebud too

I wish there was a song to sing
To get you back
But you can't get here from nowhere I guess
Rosebud's shipwrecked up on the Ohio
Behind a wall of glass
Telling me to take it easy
But I took a photograph
And she's just a wooden machine
But you and Rosebud, you're still singing to me


Lyrics submitted by Sum1LsesChpstck

Rosebud Lyrics as written by Ryan Adams

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Rosebud song meanings
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6 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    This song is about Jerry Garcia, Rosebud was the name of the guitar he used during the last Grateful Dead concert before his death

    perma3on April 11, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    he played it more then jsut at his last concert. Ryan loved the grateful dead and even played with phil lesh and friends. phil still covers some ryan adams songs

    Moose_Man9on November 12, 2009   Link
  • +1
    Song Meaning

    I talked to Ryan about this song after a concert backstage and this is what he swore to me in deepest secrecy. I confirmed it online from what he said. Rosebud, as defined by wikipedia: "Rosebud is a slang term for a prolapsed rectum, as a result of extreme sexual activity involving the anus and rectum." Obviously this occurs from "being shipwrecked up on the Ohio" (i.e. performing too many Cleveland steamers"). So no, its not about Charles Foster Kane or Jerry's guitar, its about someone Ryan was in love with who had a prolapsed rectum and although he has a picture of his lover's "rosebud" he wants to him/her back.

    FreeWheelinon January 15, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Has this song anything to do with Citizen Kane??

    I've never figured that out...

    Smart Alexon December 14, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    It is about Jerry Garcia

    sillyp3on January 13, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    He actually played Tiger during his last performance at soldier field. Rosebud was in for repair.

    JackPilgrimson May 06, 2014   Link

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