What care I for the purest white rose
Placed in my cold stiff hand
What care do I for the words of praise
When I can't understand
When I can't understand, oh love
When I can't understand
What care do I for the words of praise
When I can't understand
I care not for the flowers heaped in wreaths
Upon my mound
I cannot scent their fragrance sweet
When I'm beneath the ground
When I'm beneath the ground, oh love
When I'm beneath the ground
I cannot scent their fragrance sweet
When I'm beneath the ground
What goods will deeds of honor do
Above my lifeless form
When I am anchored in the vale
Safe sheltered from the storm
Oh, give to me my roses now
Kind words of love I crave
Wait not 'til d**h has taken me
And I am in my grave
And I am in my grave, oh love
And I am in my grave
Wait not 'til d**h has taken me
And I am in my grave
Beyond the lonely silent tomb
I hope to find sweet rest
Speak now the words of comfort brought
And calm my troubled breast
Wait not 'til d**h has taken me
Alas, it'll be too late
For I will not need your songs of praise
When I'm once beyond the grave
When I'm once beyond the grave, oh love
When I'm once beyond the grave
I will not need your songs of praise
When I'm once beyond the grave