Tear Upon the Rose

These tired ghosts that haunt my nights
Mistakes of my own making
When I depart at day's first light
It's them I won't be taking
If I'm to leave this place I love
I'll harbor no regret
I cannot wait to see her smile
I cannot wait, and yet....

I grieve to leave, I grieve to leave this native land
Across the sea, she waits for me to take her hand
My every breath, my every bone
Have drawn what strength they have from home
But love is stronger I suppose
And there's the tear upon the rose

I've held my shoulder to the plow
I've worked these fields for so long
This earth has left its dirt on me
And made my hands so strong
It hurts to lay these reins aside
My heart, and heaven, knows
This rocky soil I've cursed and nursed
Is no place to grow a rose

I grieve to leave, I grieve to leave this native land
Across the sea, she waits for me to take her hand
My every breath, my every bone
Have drawn what strength they have from home
But love is stronger I suppose
And there's the tear upon the rose
I understand the risk I run
I love, and I may lose
But I have seen there, in her eyes
A Rose I can't refuse

I grieve to leave, I grieve to leave this native land
Across the sea, she waits for me to take her hand
My every breath, my every bone
Have drawn what strength they have from home
But love is stronger I suppose
And there's the tear upon the rose