[Halford/Tipton] Throughout the soft and timeless days of August 'Til now the shadows begin to grow much longer The sunset's fire has deepened blood red I give you this, the last rose of summer A token of my unyielding love So when the winter's mantle stills the earth And all around seems dead and cold This rose reminds you of a time when all was warm and living Do not despair, mother nature simply rests In sleep she has well earned 'Til one day not so very far from now With the opening of the first rose buds I shall return A token of my unyielding love So that when winter's mettle steals the earth And all around seems dead and cold This rose reminds you of a time when all was warm and living The last rose of summer The last rose of summer The last rose of summer The last rose of summer The last rose of summer The last rose of summer In your long shadows The last rose of summer In the sunset The last rose of summer Take this rose that I give you The last rose of summer The last rose of summer Don't worry about the winter The last rose of summer I shall return The last rose of summer The last rose of summer The last rose of summer The last rose of summer The last rose of summer The last rose of summer The last rose of summer The last rose of summer [fade]