Said to be the first song in English that was performed by the legendary tenor Enrico Caruso, this passionately expressive composition with lyrics by P.J. O'Reilley, published by Edward Schuberth and Co., Inc., was recorded by Caruso for the Victor company in Camden, NJ, on December 28, 1910, with an orchestral accompaniment. Since then it has been recorded by many artists, including Lauritz Melchior (for MGM), Mario Lanza, Richard Tauber (Parlophone), Richard Crooks, Ezio Pinza (RCA Victor), and Jussi Björling. The piece has also received several instrumental arrangements, the first of which was orchestrated by S.K. Wright for 15 instruments (1911).

British composer Geehl never achieved a similar fame for his other songs, but had some success with other compositions in a similar late-Romantic style (Geehl was an acquaintance of Johannes Brahms in his later years); these pieces include The Mountains of Allah, a cycle of six songs, and his song Devon Mine which was recorded by Harry Dearth and became popular during the First World War.

This brief song encapsulates a subtle but gradually overwhelming emotional development within its two lyrical verses and slightly over two minutes' duration.

After a simple introduction based on the melody and given in a rich orchestration to the strings, the singer entreats his loved one to "take thou this rose, this tender little rose" grown in a "garden fair" and "proudly bear" it as a symbol of love. The beautifully flowing melodic line creates a small arc for the initial request, and a longer wave covering the rest of the phrase. From this motion, the listener can easily imagine the rose slowly being lifted in offering to the loved one.

The next verse, sung to the same melody, expands on the first, as the poet bids his beloved to "take thou this heart" that longs for the two of them to be together. The singer swears "I bid my all" and asks the lover again to take "my heart" that God has made "for you alone."

© "Blue" Gene Tyranny, Rovi