Rose, Rose, I Love You

Rose, Rose I love you with an aching heart. What is your future, now we have to part? Standing on the jetty as the steamer moves away, Flower of Malaya, I cannot stay. Mei Kwei, oh, Mei Kwei for my Eastern Rose. Men crowd in dozens everywhere she goes. In her rickshaw on the street or in a cabaret, "Please Mei Kwei for Rose," you can hear them say. All my life I shall remember, Oriental music and you in my arms. Perfumed flowers in your tresses, Lotus-scented breezes and swaying palms. Rose, Rose I love you with your almond eyes. Fragrant and slender 'neath tropical sky. I must cross the seas again and never see you more. Way back to my home on a distant shore. (All my life I shall remember,) (Oriental music and you in my arms.) (Perfumed flowers in your tresses,) (Lotus-scented breezes and swaying palms.) Rose, Rose I leave you, my ship is in the bay. Kiss me farewell now, there's nothin' to say. East is East and West is West, our worlds are far apart. I must leave you now but I leave my heart. Rose, Rose I love you with an aching heart. What is your future, now we have to part? Standing on the jetty as the steamer moves away, Flower of Malaya, I cannot stay. (Rose, Rose I love you, I cannot stay.)