The Statler Brothers -- Bed of Rose's [REACTION/GIFT REQUEST]

[@gloriakeener3883]

Lew DeWitt was singing tenor in this song. I was sad when he got sick and had to leave the group but Jimmy Fortune came along and he was also great.

[@patriciaadams-rl4iz]

What a great song, teaching him the way of life.

[@ArlynMeylan-jo7hq]

I always loved this song 😊

[@carolinasbeauty]

Hi Don, I believe you're mostly on point with your comments. Her name was Rose and when she took him in, he slept on a "bed of Rose's." As @danniesims8236 said - most stores back then (under the "Blue Law" I believe) and services stopped at 6pm (at least here in the South) and were closed on Sunday. I always thought she taught him to be a good, loving and business savvy person (man in his case.) It really takes more than one listen to a song like this to get the full meaning. It's a song from my years still at home, listening to my mama's records. Thank you Bethany, for a beautiful request and Don for an "enlightened" reaction. ;-) Love the Statlers!!

[@bwilliams463]

The last refrain, where Lew Dewitt adds the high harmony is my favorite part of the song. If you pay attention, you will hear once again the inimitable piano playing of the legendary Hargus 'Pig' Robbins.

[@TheDavBow3]

Lew had the best pure harmonizing tenor voice you've ever heard!

[@davidovercast6159]

The title of "Bed of Rose's" is, like some of the other Statler Brothers' works, a play on words - in this case on the common English idiom "bed of roses", which means an easy and pleasant life. The song is both a challenge of narrow-minded religion and moralism, and a gentle celebration of love. A young orphaned man in a small town (possibly modeled after the Statlers' hometown of Staunton, Virginia) has for some reason become shunned by the "polite" members of society, and is forced to beg in the streets. His life improves when a streetwalker named Rose, nearly twice his age, takes him in; he becomes her lover. The song juxtaposes the hypocrisy of the nominally Christian townspeople who would "...go to church but left me in the street" and their envy of Rose who "managed a late evening business / like most of the town wished they could do", with the care and tender love that evolves between the two outcasts.

[@danniesims8236]

This song came out when stores were not open 9n Sundays, and most shut down around 5 pm. Late evening business, per this song, to me implys they wanted the income of more hours open to sell or service their customers ( mechanics, ect...). When I worked on a framing crew supplying income for a growing family, I was always seeking extea work after hours. Just my thou ffg hts.

[@mamakittyluvsjesus]

Always took it as rose took him and raised him taught him some discipline and how to be a man never thought of anything else even though she was street walker . Look up meaning found this Bed of Roses is a timeless classic by The Statler Brothers, released in 1970. The song carries a profound meaning, reflecting upon the complexities of love, relationships, and the hardships that often come with them. With their distinct harmonies and heartfelt lyrics, The Statler Brothers have captured the emotions and vulnerabilities that many listeners can relate to.

[@Georgia_Outlaw_Vinyl]

I always took it as she taught him everything about being a man. Both the things he missed not having a parent & the dirty stuff.

[@libertyann439]

The gospel arrangement for this song is a hoot!

[@sandralorenz1796]

Check out their "The Junkie's Prayer". They have so many great songs that never got air time. This is one of my favorites. Also, "That Summer". Yes, she was a 'lady of the evening'. Possibly, the lady's name was Rose....Bed of Rose's.

[@budmorgan64]

Yes, That Summer by Garth Brooks !

[@claylyons6447]

Best country vocal group ever. I've been a fan since the 1970's. So many great songs.

[@kippytx]

I love this song so much. Tanya Tucker did a lovely version of this song.

[@jcat__]

Thanks Bethany for this request for a great song by the Statler Bros. I think you got it partly right, she took him in and taught him to be a gigolo. She was a madam for men, I think . He was open to it, hence the line 'an 18yo boy has to eat. The line 'bed of roses that I lay on' is because her name was Rose and it was her bed. The song was written by Harold Reid of the Statler Brothers released in 1970and peaked at #9 on the Billboard country chart Thanks for your reaction

[@kippytx]

I think she taught him to be a decent, kind and caring man

[@ednafenton7558]

I agree. She taught him more than just sex. She taught him to be a man. I also love this song.

[@DianeJohnson86]

I think at one time you were going to react to this song when Tanya sang it but decided to do another song of hers this was the very first song of hers I heard back in the mid 70s and I have been a huge fan of hers ever since

[@lindanicholson950]

The rest of the town wished they were as good at managing a business. It just occurred to me now to wonder if he inherited the business. We should note the people who went to church left him in the street.

[@warrenburlingame1172]

Harold wrote this. I'm sure this has happened more than we realize

[@SBQDawn]

It's a commentary on the Gossip of small towns everybody likes to shame someone (mostly because they are a bit hypocritical and jealous) Late evening business could have been just about anything not perceived as appropriate for a "lady" to do We have come a long way yet not really. there will always be catty gossips with plenty to say but failing to keep their own yard clean.

[@CindyCowan-w7z]

Love the statlers...my favorite song is " my only love"