GIVE MY LOVE TO ROSE

Johnny Cash

I found him by the railroad track this morning
I could see that he was nearly dead
I knelt down beside him and I listened
To the words dying fellow said

He said they let me out of prison down in Frisco
For ten long years I've paid for what I've done
I was trying to get back home in Louisiana
Just to see my Rose and get to know my son

Give my love to Rose, won't you mister
Hey give her this money and tell her to buy some pretty clothes
Tell my boy his daddy's proud of him
Don't forget to give my love to Rose

Just tell 'em I said thanks for waiting for me
Tell my boy to help his mom now he's got be a man*
You tell my Rose to go and find another
You tell her I'll understand*

Mister see this bag's got all my money
I ain't much nor lasting long I know*
God bless you for finding me this morning
And don't forget to give my love to Rose

Give my love to Rose, won't you mister
You give her that money and tell her to buy some pretty clothes
Tell my son that his father loved him*
And don't forget to give my love to Rose

GIVE MY LOVE TO ROSE
Johnny Cash's version

I found him by the railroad track this morning
I could see that he was nearly dead
I knelt down beside him and I listened
Just to hear the words the dying fellow said

He said they let me out of prison down in Frisco
For ten long years I've paid for what I've done
I was trying to get back to Louisiana
To see my Rose and get to know my son

[Chorus:]
Give my love to Rose please won't you mister
Take her all my money, tell her to buy some pretty clothes
Tell my boy his daddy's so proud of him
And don't forget to give my love to Rose

Tell them I said thanks for waiting for me
Tell my boy to help his mom at home
Tell my Rose to try to find another
For it ain't right that she should live alone

Mister here's a bag with all my money
It won't last them long the way it goes
God bless you for finding me this morning
And don't forget to give my love to Rose

[Chorus:]
Give my love to Rose please won't you mister
Take her all my money, tell her to buy some pretty clothes
Tell my boy his daddy's so proud of him
And don't forget to give my love to Rose

Give My Love to Rose, Written by Johnny Cash who recorded it in 1957, and released it for the first time on his 1960 LP Johnny Cash Sings Hank Williams.
was performed by Bruce on 4/6/99 via pre-recorded videotape.
"A pre-taped Bruce performance of this song was played on a screen over the stage during the All Star Tribute To Johnny Cash on 06 Apr 1999 at Hammerstein Ballroom, Manhattan, NY. Accompanied by only an acoustic guitar, Bruce Springsteen's unadorned cover of GIVE MY LOVE TO ROSE was one of the most wrenching songs of the night, even if it was a pre-taped performance. The concert was aired on TNT television at 8 PM on 18 Apr 1999. Bruce and the E Street Band were in Italy that night for the Reunion tour. The rendition was recorded on a soundstage in Asbury Park, NJ, most probably during the rehearsals for the Reunion tour in Mar 1999."
Bruce's cover of the song was officially released on the tribute CD Kindred Spirits: A Tribute To The Songs Of Johnny Cash, released on 24 Sep 2002.
Thanks to Rich Miller!

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