Rose of England

"Rose of England" is a patriotic song written by Welsh composer Ivor Novello in 1937 for his musical Crest of the Wave. Contrary to some reports, it was not popularised by Vera Lynn during the war years. The only recording which she made of the song was on the long-playing album More Hits of the Blitz released in 1966 and which has been included on several Compact Disc releases. This was the choice of her producer, the (then) recently hired David Gooch, who also produced the final album recorded by Alma Cogan. John Cleese used the music for his comic song I've got a ferret sticking up my nose on I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again.

The flower to which the song's lyrics refer is one of England's national emblems, the Tudor Rose. The song's popularity has led to some calls for it to replace "God Save the Queen" as the English sporting anthem.^[1]

The song was played by Maggie Smith in the motion picture A Private Function and by Patricia Routledge in an episode of Keeping Up Appearances.

Lyrics

Grown in one land alone

Where proud winds have blown

There’s not a flower born of the shower

Braver than England’s own

Though gales of winter blow

Piercing hail and snow

Shining she stays bright as in days of yore

Old England’s pride still blossoms

Fresh on Englands shore

Rose of England thou shall fade not here

Proud and bright from growing year to year

Red shall thy petals be as rich wine untold

Shared by thy warriors who served thee of old

Rose of England breathing England’s air

Flower of chivalry beyond compare

While hand and heart endure to cherish thy prime

Thou shalt blossom to the end of time

Rose of England breathing England’s air

Flower of liberty beyond compare

While hand and heart endure to cherish thy prime

Thou shalt blossom to the end of time

See also

• The Road to Freedom (Chris de Burgh album), which includes a different song with the same title

References