So you were late

But you never told me you were

You didn't want to say

Till you were sure

But that song and dance

Won't work no more

Because you got no rhythm

To save your soul



I don't care how much it hurts

So you can tell it

To the Roman Catholic Church

I don't run away

From my mistakes

But this is one, honey,

That I didn't make



And I can't catch you

And I can't get you

But I can't let you catch me



Oh no, you can't catch me

And you never will

So you can plant black roses

In your window sill

I'll be free

And you'll be suicidal

While you press black roses

In your family Bible



So now it's all

Left up to your discretion

And you can spill your guts

In your next confession

Lift your eyes up to the sky

Give 'em ten Hail Marys

For one white lie



Your mother always said

I would bring you down

If she could only see you now

Clinging tight to your rosary

Saying, "This wasn't how

It was supposed to be . . ."



Forget about a snow-white

Wedding gown

And you can toss black roses

In a hole in the ground



Roses are red, roses are black

Tell your mother what you did

And give her a heart attack



Someday when I'm cold and dead

You're gonna find black roses

By your hospital bed