Within my prison cell so dreary alone I sit with aching heart

I'm thinking of my lonely darling from her forever I must part

A rose she sent me as a token she sent it just to light my gloom

To tell me that her heart is broken to cheer me fore I meet my doom

She wrote I took it from the garden where once we wandered side by side

But now you hold no hope of pardon and I can never be your bride

[ fiddle ]

The judge would not believe my story the jury said I had to pay

But to the rose in all its glory not guilty's all that I can say

Goodbye sweetheart for in the morning I'll meet my Maker in repose

And when I'll go at daylight's dawning against my heart they'll find this rose