The sun goes down in Calvin county

Neon lights from an old beer sign

Shown through the window out on the sidewalk

As I walked in to pass the time

I looked around, sat down at a table

Ordered beef on rye and a glass of wine

And through the door came a little old lady

She was selling paper roses and they only cost a dime

Paper Rosie, Paper Rosie

She sold you paper roses

But they only cost a dime

Silver hair that's lost its gold

Trembling hand as she passed the rose

Red crepe paper made nature's bouquet

Help a little old lady, buy a rose today

I took the rose from her trembling hand

With eyes of age, she smiled and walked away

Like a breath of spring, I could smell the rose

It came alive and I heard her say

Buy my roses, pretty roses

They're only made of paper

But they only cost a dime

I went to look for her outside

A spray of roses lay by her side

The sky lit up and the choir sang

A thousand voices as the church bells rang

They sang Rosie (Rosie), Paper Rosie (Rosie)

She sold you paper roses

But they only cost a dime

Paper Rosie (Rosie), Paper Rosie (Rosie)

She sold you paper roses

But they only cost a dime

Paper Rosie...