Ah, May The Red Rose Live Always!
Suzy Bogguss
Words and music by Stephen Collins Foster 1850
Traditional arrangement by Suzy Bogguss
© 2004 Lil' Isabelle Music, ASCAP
Suzy Bogguss appears courtesy of Compadre Records

Produced by Suzy Bogguss
Recorded and mixed by Dave Sinko
at OMNISound Studios and the Sound Emporium, Nashville, TN
Assistant engineer: Patrick Granado

Suzy Bogguss: vocal
Will Barrow: piano
Pat Bergeson: guitar
Charlie Chadwick: bass
Julie Adams: cello

Chorus:
Ah! may the red rose live always,
To smile upon earth and sky
Why should the beautiful ever weep?
Why should the beautiful die?

Lending a charm to every ray
That falls on her cheeks of light,
Giving the zephyr kiss for kiss,
And nursing the dewdrop bright

Chorus

Long may the daisies dance the field,
Frolicking far and near!
Why should the innocent hide their heads?
Why should the innocent fear?

Spreading their petals in mute delight
When morn in its radiance breaks,
Keeping a floral festival
Till the night-loving primrose wakes

Chorus

Lulled be the dirge in the cypress bough,
That tells of departed flowers
Ah! that the butterfly’s gilded wing
Fluttered in evergreen bowers

Sad in my heart for the blighted plants
Its pleasures are just as brief
They bloom at the young year’s joyful call,
And fade with the autumn leaf

Chorus