Dock Boggs - Roses While I'm Living lyrics

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