Mary picked the roses 

Early in the morn

Mary picked the roses

As the day was being born

Mary picked the roses 

To smell their sweet perfume

Mary picked the roses

But Jesus made them bloom


Joseph carved a table 

From a piece of wood 

Joseph carved a table

It was his livelihood

Joseph carved a table 

Where kings could sit to eat

Joseph carved a table

But Jesus made the tree


And I write songs 

These songs I sing

(Hey, la la la)

I'd have none if not for him

And I know whence came the tunes

(Hey, la la la)

Because Jesus made the roses

Jesus made the roses bloom


I will soon be leaving

I will soon be gone

I will soon be leaving

But I leave for you my songs

Though this life is fleeting

And time is no one's friend

I will soon be leaving

But Jesus never ends


So I'll write songs 

These songs I sing

(Hey, la la la)

I'd have none if not for him

And I know whence came the tunes

(Hey, la la la)

Because Jesus made the roses

Jesus made the roses bloom

He made the roses bloom