A  D
The sun goes down in Calvin County,
E  A
Neon lights from an old beer sign, 
D
Shown through the window out on the sidewalk, 
E  A
As I walked in to pass the time; 
D
I looked around, sat down at a table, 
E  A
Ordered beef on rye and a glass of wine 
D
And through the door came a little old lady, 
E  A
She was selling paper roses and they only cost a dime. 
 
Chorus: 
A  E  S
Paper Rosie…Paper Rosie…, 
E  A
She sold you paper roses; but they only cost a dime. 
 
A  D
Silver hair that had lost it’s gold, 
E  A
Trembling hands as she passed a rose, 
D
Red crepe paper made nature’s  bouquet, 
E  A
Help a little old lady, buy a rose today; 
D
I took the rose from her trembling hand, 
E  A
With the eyes of age, she smiled and walked away, 
D
Like the breath of spring, I could smell the rose, 
E  A
It came alive and I heard her say. 
 
Chorus: 
A  E  D
Buy my roses, pretty roses, 
E  A
There only made of paper; but they only cost a dime  
 
A  D
I went to look for her outside, 
E  A
А spray of roses lay by her side, 
D
The sky lit up and the choir sang, 
E  A
А thousand voices and the church bells rang; 
 
A  E  D
They sang Rosie…Paper Rosie…. 
E  A
She sold you paper roses but they only costs a dime 
 
A   E  D
Paper Rosie…Paper Rosie…, 
E  A
She sold you paper roses; but they only cost a dime.