Rose, Rose, I love you, with an aching heart
What is your future, now we have to part
Standing on the jetty as the steamer moves away
Flower of Malaya, I cannot stay
Make way, oh, make way, for my Eastern Rose
Men crowd in dozens everywhere she goes
In her rickshaw, on a street, or in a cabaret
“Please make way for Rose,” you can hear them say
All my life I shall remember
Oriental music and you in my arms
Perfumed flowers in your tresses
Lotus-scented breezes and swaying palms
Rose, Rose, I love you with your almond eyes
Fragrant and slender, ‘neath tropical skies
I must cross the seas again and never see you more
Way back to my home on a distant shore
All my life I shall remember
Oriental music and you in my arms
Perfumed flowers in your tresses
Lotus-scented breezes and swaying palms
Rose, Rose, I leave you, my ship is in the bay
Kiss me farewell now, there’s nothing to say
East is east and west is west, our worlds are far apart
I must leave you now, but I’ll leave my heart
Rose, Rose, I love you, with an aching heart
What is your future, now we have to part
Standing on the jetty as the steamer moves away
Flower of Malaya, I cannot stay !