"Rosemary" is a song by the rock band Grateful Dead, released in 1969 on their album "Aoxomoxoa". The song consists of cryptic and enigmatic lyrics, leaving room for interpretation and various meanings. The lyrics paint a picture of a mysterious woman in a garden. She is described wearing leather boots, surrounded by the scent of cologne. The mirror being a window suggests she is reflecting upon herself and her surroundings. The woman appears solitary in her presence, sitting alone. The garden is described as full of vibrant colors - scarlet, purple, crimson, and blue. This signifies beauty, growth, and life surrounding the woman. The garden can be seen as a metaphor for the world and all its possibilities. The woman's presence in the garden is transient. She comes and goes, eventually leaving completely. Once she departs, the garden becomes sealed and the flowers start to decay. This symbolizes the ephemeral nature of life and the eventual decline and passing of all things. It also implies that the beauty and vibrancy represented by the garden cannot be sustained indefinitely. On the garden wall, there is a legend mentioned that states nobody is allowed to enter because nobody can stay. This could be interpreted as a warning or a reminder that permanence is illusory, and that nothing lasts forever. Overall, "Rosemary" suggests themes of transience, beauty, and the fleeting nature of life. The lyrics can be seen as a contemplation on mortality and the impermanence of all things, inviting reflection on the meaning and fragility of existence. However, due to the cryptic nature of the lyrics, individual interpretations may vary.
