"It Must Have Been The Roses" is a song by the Grateful Dead, released in 1974. The song tells the story of Annie, a woman who laid her head down in the roses, symbolizing her death. Annie is described as having ribbons in her long brown hair. The song captures the narrator's fascination with Annie and his inability to leave her there. The lyrics suggest that the roses and ribbons may have been the reason the narrator couldn't leave Annie. The roses hold symbolic significance, representing beauty, love, and fragility. The ribbons in her hair add to her allure and femininity. The exact reason for the narrator's attachment to Annie is left ambiguous, but it is clear that there was something magical or captivating about her. The song also references how time passed, as ships returned home from the sea over ten years. However, it is unclear how this connects to Annie, suggesting a non-linear narrative. The line "If I tell another what your own lips told to me, let me lay neath the roses, let my eyes no longer see" implies that the narrator is willing to keep Annie's secrets, willing to take them to his grave. This line adds an air of mystery, further deepening the story and the connection between the two characters. As the song progresses, we learn that the narrator is reminiscing about Annie after some time has passed. The once vibrant and colorful room she occupied now seems empty and faded, symbolizing the absence of her presence. The song reflects on the fact that no one visits her anymore, highlighting the loneliness and absence left behind after her death. Overall, "It Must Have Been The Roses" is a poetic and enigmatic song that explores themes of love, loss, and the power of beauty. It effectively captures the haunting nostalgia and longing for someone no longer present.
