Rose was having a problem She held the answer in her hand But on this auspicious occasion She didn't really understand I went to meet her at the station Her famous hat was pulled down low A crowd of people stood there laughing at her Rose was a shadow of before Keep taking those back roads That's all I ever heard her say Don't take no for an answer Yet she slowly slid away Keep taking those back roads That's all I ever heard her say Don't take no for an answer Oh that's all she would say Back roads, black rose, blues again Now Rose was getting down forever She never really ever stood a chance I watched her life that's pilling out before her Just like wine, just like wine Spilling over the side And every time I reach a crossroads In my life and I don't know which way to go A voice is stirring deep inside of me It is the voice of old black Rose She said Keep taking those back roads That's all I ever heard her say Don't take no for an answer Yet she slowly slipped away, yeah Keep taking those back roads That's all I ever heard her say Don't take no for an answer Hey, black rose slipped away Back roads, black rose, you got the blues again Back roads, black rose Black rose, black rose