Twelve roses here for you Althea my love:
The first one brings love;
The second says that you
Are the one I'm dreaming of;
The third red rose is gladness --
So may it bring to you;
The fourth is for our first kiss,
But what can kisses do?
The fifth red rose is tears --
We both have shed a few;
The sixth rose is the times
We've shared, both old and new;
The seventh is the day
We met not long ago;
The eighth is you and me
And the happiness we know;
The ninth red rose is for
The hand I long to hold;
The tenth rose is much more --
It's the love that we've built;
The eleventh is the fun
We've had so many times;
The twelfth rose is the one
That carries but a line --
The important rose is this one,
for this one says, "So glad your mines."