I ventured a walk one early May morning,
Through the dew on the ground as the sunshine did beam;
I spied a wild rose growing there on the mountain,
And my heart skipped a beat o'er the vision I'd seen.
In the flower I saw the face of my darling,
Its petals her hair, and its perfume her smile;
The stem of the rose was her body so slender,
As it reached out for life from the rich mountain soil.
Oh, Labrador Rose, you're the rarest of flowers,
As you blossom and grow by the cold northern stream;
For the rest of my life I will stay here beside you,
Oh, Labrador Rose, you are one living dream.
Each morning I walk through the dew and the sunshine,
For to be with my flower that grows on the moor;
There's nothing around to compare with her beauty,
Oh, flower so fair, you'll be mine evermore.
Oh, Labrador Rose, you're the rarest of flowers,
As you blossom and grow by the cold northern stream;
For the rest of my life I will stay here beside you,
Oh, Labrador Rose, you are one living dream.
Oh, Labrador Rose, you are one living dream.
####.... Dick Gardiner ....####
The YouTube video above features a recording by Dick Gardiner (Headin' Back To Newfie, trk#4, 1980, Clode Sound Studios, Stephenville, NL).
Liner Notes: This song is a fine example of symbolism relating love and love of the land. Like the author, much of Western Labrador's current population migrated from the Island and elsewhere, with the upstart of mining and hydro development. Over the years they have developed a deep attachment to their new home and are often referred to as Labradorians by choice.
A variant was recorded by The Flummies (Songs Of Labrador, trk#6, 1988, Homespun Studios, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL, recorded, produced, and engineered by Gary O'Driscoll).
The YouTube video below features an excellent performance of a variant by The Three Sisters featuring lead vocalist Diane Waterman and backup vocalist Donna Michelin of Gander, NL.
