This sweet tune was written in the 1980's when tattooing was not so common as now. Thus the presumed sailor tells his girl friend (in his mind because they are separated, he on sea, she on land) that he'd been drinking, got carried away, hence the rose tattoo in her honor. He has a little uncertainty on where their relationship stands since he says "Whatever you think of me, I'm still your friend".
This sweet tune was written in the 1980's when tattooing was not so common as now. Thus the presumed sailor tells his girl friend (in his mind because they are separated, he on sea, she on land) that he'd been drinking, got carried away, hence the rose tattoo in her honor. He has a little uncertainty on where their relationship stands since he says "Whatever you think of me, I'm still your friend".