Released January 1977 Recorded November 18, 1976 Length 3:57 | Format 7" Genre Country | |
B-side "Don't Look at Me (In That Tone of Voice)" | ||
"Paper Rosie" is a song written and originally recorded by Canadian country music artist Dallas Harms. Harms' version peaked at number 21 on the RPM Country Tracks chart in 1975.
The song was later covered by American country music artist Gene Watson. Watson's version released in January 1977 as the first single and title track from his album Paper Rosie. Watson's version peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in the spring of 1977. It also reached number 1 on the RPM Country Tracks chart in Canada.
Lyrical content
The song is set at a roadside tavern and is told from the viewpoint of a person there who buys a paper rose from an elderly female vendor. Shortly thereafter, he hears the ringing of church bells and choir voices and realizes a funeral is taking place nearby. When he hears the choir singing "paper Rosie," he realizes that the funeral is for the woman who'd just sold him the rose. The song suggests that it was actually the spirit of the woman who sold him the paper flower.