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Roses Blue Lyrics

I think of tears, I think of rain on shingles
I think of rain, I think of roses blue
I think of Rose, my heart begins to tremble
To see the place she's lately gotten to
Gotten to, gotten to

She's gotten to mysterious devotions
She's gotten to the zodiac and Zen
She's gotten into tarot cards and potions
She's laying her religion on her friends
On her friends, on her friends

Friends who come to ask her for their future
Friends who come to find they can't be friends
Because of signs and seasons that don't suit her
She'll prophesy your death, she won't say when
Won't say when, won't say when

When all the black cards come you cannot barter
No, when all your stars are stacked you cannot win
She'll shake her head and treat you like a martyr
It is her blackest spell she puts you in
Puts you in, puts you in

In sorrow she can lure you where she wants you
Inside your own self-pity there you swim
In sinking down to drown her voice still haunts you
And only with your laughter can you win
Can you win, can you win

You win the lasting laurels with your laughter
It reaches like an arm before you sink
To win the solitary truth you're after
You dare not ask the priestess how to think
How to think, how to think

I think of tears, I think of rain on shingles
I think of rain, I think of roses blue
I think of Rose, my heart begins to tremble
To see the place she's lately gotten to
Gotten to, gotten to
Song Info
Submitted by
nelly On Mar 27, 2002
3 Meanings

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Cover art for Roses Blue lyrics by Joni Mitchell

Some magnificent lyrics - the obvious pattern being that the final line of each verse provides the first words of the next, leading in a circle back to the first verse. And of course that's reflected in the first/last verse itself, which similarly moves in a "free association" way. Very clever, but not for its own sake - it feels natural and doesn't impede the story of the song.

Cover art for Roses Blue lyrics by Joni Mitchell

Pretty song. Really eerie, too.

Cover art for Roses Blue lyrics by Joni Mitchell

There are two lessons here for your thoughts: The first more obvious; In dealing with Witchcraft and witches [Tarrot, Runes, and other signs], interpretation is everything. The blackest prediction or advice can always be countered with a grain of salt, and cooler heads --in this case laughter represents that path able to break any spell.

Secondly- This can be interpreted as a general warning, NOT to place too much faith in religions, especially those that give a specific answer or very pointed guideline. Again, laughter and/or love will prevail and provide the solution[s].

 
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