Wild Irish Rose

They sent him to Asia to fight in a war

He came back home crazy and asking, What for?

They had him committed, oh, medals and all

To a mental hosipital with rubber walls.



They cut off the funding, oh, they cut off the lights

He hit the street runnin' that cold winter night

Now the streets are the only place he can call home

He seems oh, so lonely, but he's never alone.



He lies there holding his wild irish rose

This crazy old fool in the smelly old clothes

He could have had something much better, God knows

Than a half-empty bottle of Wild Irish Rose.



A baby named Scarlet with laughing blue eyes

(Spoken)

Has been in his wallet, ah! way back since '65

(Sang)

So much was forgotten, oh, so far back in time

Way down in the bottom of a river of wine.



(Spoken)

You know, they found him at Clarkstreet, West 25th

They can't even find a hearbeat, Lord, his fingers are stiff

Just like they're all frozen, he's holding her tight

(Sang)

But the habit, oh, it's broken, this is Roses' last night.



He lies there holding his Wild Irish Rose

But his soul's in a place where a real hero goes

Now he's got something better, much better, God knows

Than a half-empty bottle of Wild Irish Rose...