Portland is, of course, know as the Rose City.  And if you stop to think about it, or to notice around town, you realize just how many businesses and landmarks take that civic nickname to heart.  This week’s song, “A Dozen Roses,” takes a look at some of those places and comes just in time for Valentine’s Day.  Don’t know what to get your loved one?  Why don’t you take her or him to see a few of our city’s lovely roses...

Incidentally, this is the next-to-last song of the One Year of Portland Songs Blog.  One more go to!

Lyrics:

Some people might wonder why Portland is called the Rose City.

For me it is clear that it’s simply that our roses are so pretty.

So let me explain just what I’m thinking of,

A dozen roses to express my true love:

There are the Rose Gardens and just the Rose Garden,

The Roseway Theatre too.

There’s Roses on 42nd where milkshakes are tasty,

And then, of course, Portland Rose Hot Air Balloons.

The Rose City Cemetery up on old Fremont,

Rose’s Restaurants as well.

The Rose Schnitzer Manor and the newer Rose Quarter

Are places you might like to dwell.

The Rose Festival comes ‘round like clockwork each June,

And Rose City Park is bliss.

The Roseland Theater is good for a show --

Something you just shouldn’t miss.

So now I’ve explained just what I’m thinking of,

A dozen roses to express my true love.

Portland’s roses are red, the Willamette is blue,

A dozen roses just to say “I love you.”