A rose that bloomed in a desert land
Sighed in her loneliness;
A little bird that was singing near
Was touched by her distress.

“Why are you sad, sweet rose?” he said,
“Why do you weep and sigh?”
“Ah!” said the rose “if I had wings
To other lands I’d fly.”

“Why do you linger here, dear bird,
When you might fly away?”
“Because I love your scent, sweet rose,
In this lone land I stay.

I linger in this solitude,
To cheer you with my song.”
“Ah! little bird, bear me away,
Your spreading wings are strong.”

The little bird raised the sweet rose
And spread his pinions fair;
He flew away across the sea
Through the bright summer air.

But when he reached his nest at last
He sang a sadder lay;
His joy was hushed. The lovely rose
Was faded quite away.