Little Yellow Roses

Little Yellow Roses

This song appeared on a 1961 album by, and titled, Adam Faith. The words are credited to Shakesperean actor and songwriter Trevor Peacock, and the arrangement on the Adam Faith album is by John Barry. This version is rendered in a tinkly, staccato polka style, as if played on a Wurlitzer.

I personally learned this song at a science-fiction convention, from the singing of a well-known filk [SF-based folk-music] singer named Sheila Lewis. Sheila had re-arranged the tune in a more melodic style, and made a few changes to the words which I feel improved it. Which is to say, the song has entered the folk process and been transmitted orally.

If I recall correctly, Sheila said that the song was based on a poem written during the Spanish Civil War by a soldier who later died. It cannot have been written by Trevor Peacock during the Spanish Civil War, since he was born in 1931, but it might have been written by him about that conflict, or might have been based on a pre-existing poem.

A poem called Yellow Roses written by one J Hooker Hamersley won a major award just before the Spanish Civil War, but I have not been able to find out if the two are related. If anyone can confirm whether or not this is the same poem I'd be interested to hear from them.

An interesting discussion about this song, along with a recording of Jon Boden singing it, can be found at A FOLKSONG A DAY.

Sheila Lewis/filk-con version

I lay on my back with the sun in my eyes
Soon I shall know what no living man knows
All of my life's been a fight against lies
Death brings the truth, and it's my turn to know

Send my mother a lock of my hair
Send my father the watch that he gave me
Tell my brother to follow me if he dare
Tell them I'm lost now and no-one can save me
Remember Remember
Send my love little yellow roses

My father told me that all men are equal
Whatever colour, religion or land
He told me to fight for the things I believe in:
This I have done with a gun in my hand

I met my love in a garden of roses
She pricked her finger - how sharp the thorn grows
We made a promise till death do part us
We'd never look on a wild yellow rose

Adam Faith version

Laid on my back with the sun in my eyes
Soon I shall know what no living men know
All of my life's been a fight against lies
Death brings the truth, and it's my turn to go

My father taught me that all men are equal
Whatever colour, religion or land
He told me to fight for the things I believe in:
That's what I did - with a gun in my hand

I met my love in a garden of roses
She pricked her finger - so sharp the thorn grows
We made a promise that till death should part us
We'd never look on that wild yellow rose

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