MY HAWAIIAN ROSE
(Walter Bolian / James G. Henshel,   1918)


On an island fair where the flowers rare 
With their fragrance fills the balmy air 
Where fair maidens are I hear the old guitar 
Calling me back to this land a far, 
Where the palm trees sway and the lovers gay 
sing love songs all the while,
There my heart goes back to a rose 
I left upon this flowered isle.

Where the twilight fades 
then the soft night shades
Make me long for the land of dark eyed maids 
And there comes to me across the sea, 
Visions that gill me with ecstasy, 
And in restless dreams it always seems 
I hear this rose implore,
That I once more come to the shore 
Where love and song lives ever more.

Each gentle breeze brings me memories 
Of my sweet Hawaiian Rose 
And each flower fair I find blooming there 
To me her charms disclose 
But then I know that I will go 
At winters close to seek repose 
In the arms of my Hawaiian Rose.