The Rose Chords
by Janis Joplin
The Rose by Janis Joplin is a moderately challenging guitar song played in the key of C. It uses the chords C, G, F, Fm, Em, Am and Em7. Use the transpose and diagram tools on this page to change the key, see each shape, or simplify the chords.
C G F Fm C
Some say love, it is a river that drowns the tender reed.
C G F Fm C
Some say love, it is a razor that leaves your soul to bleed.
Em Am F C Em7
Some say love, it is a hunger, an endless, aching need.
C G F Fm C
I say love, it is a flower, and you its only seed.
e|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-5----5------5----5--------------------------------------------------------|
G|----7----5------7----5-----------------------------------------------------|
D|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
(Pick Chords)
It's the heart afraid of breakin' that never learns to dance.
It's the dream afraid of wakin' that never takes the chance.
It's the ones who won't be taken who cannot seem to give
And the soul afraid of dyin' that never learns to live.
(Start Strumming)
When the night has been too lonely and the road has been too long
And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong,
Just remember, in the winter, far beneath the bitter snows,
Lies the seed that with the suns love in the spring becomes the rose.
e|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-5----5------5----5----------1---------------------------------------------|
G|----7----5------7----5-------0---------------------------------------------|
D|-----------------------------2---------------------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------3---------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|