Dan Fogelberg - Run For The Roses Lyrics






Born in the valley
And raised in the trees
Of Western Kentucky
On wobbly knees

With mama beside you
To help you along
You'll soon be a-growin' up strong

Oh, the long lazy mornings
In pastures of green
The sun on your withers
The wind in your mane

Could never prepare you
For what lies ahead
The run for the roses so red

And it's run for the roses
As fast as you can
Your fate is delivered
Your moment's at hand

It's the chance of a lifetime
In a lifetime of chance
And it's high time
You joined in the dance
It's high time
You joined in the dance

From sire to sire
It's born in the blood
The fire of a mare and
The strength of a stud

It's breeding
And it's training
And it's something unknown
That drives you and carries you home

And it's run for the roses
As fast as you can
Your fate is delivered
Your moment's at hand

It's the chance of a lifetime
In a lifetime of chance
And it's high time
You joined in the dance
It's high time
You joined in the dance





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Dan Fogelberg Run For The Roses Comments
  1. L.... M....

    Such a beautiful picture of these horses
    🐴🐴🐴🐴
    🐎🐎🐎🐎
    A sweet kindhearted song.
    I love this song.
    The 1st time I heard this song I love it.

  2. B.... N....

    I hate that so many think this song is about the Kentucky Derby. This is a metaphor for life. Don’t be shallow. This master of his craft is showing us a slice of wisdom of the journey that is life.

  3. S.... J....

    As a mother I really understand this song wonderful lyrics and great music. ,, December 2019. 💜

  4. W.... T....

    There is something very special about people who write songs especially great ones.

  5. S.... C....

    I love this song.

  6. T.... L....

    Sarah🌹Our trip to Kentucky. You rode in front of Nanna. Love you Sweetpea 🥰

  7. D.... H....

    🥀Beautiful Song!🥀I've always loved this song Thank's for posting this🥀☝️

  8. S.... ....

    Fun fact, Secretariat never liked Roses, Lazy Susans, etc. He would bolt when they would put that floral blanket on him.
    They had to be removed in order for him to calm down.

  9. W.... ....

    I feel so sad for the 83 people who didn’t like this. Such a beautiful song and the person who created this video is pretty cool!💕💕💕

  10. T.... ....

    Recommended: Wildfire by Michael Martin Murphy

  11. a.... r....

    i love his music

  12. R.... M....

    god bless mr dan fogelberg a very beutifull song for horse lovers everywhere

  13. J.... F....

    I want this played at my funeral.

    J.... F....

    It's a great song. But I prefer whatever is number one on the charts in the year 4.5 billion AD, to be played at my funeral. Lol.

  14. R.... M....

    a beutifull song for horse lovvers alove song about loveing loveing this beutifull

  15. T.... K....

    This is such a beautiful song

  16. D.... R....

    What a brilliant and inspired and inspiring song

  17. R.... L....

    The sadness I feel whenever I here his songs is truly profound. "Longer" was my wedding song. My wife picked it and now nearly 40 years later we still listen to it and I wonder where all the time has gone. The world can be so cruel sometimes.

  18. p.... p....

    All his lyrics make sense. I miss him so much

  19. D.... C....

    lovely song...back in 1982 we didn't know about how many die on the race tracks, the thoroughbreds that end up in slaughterhouses or shipped off to Asia for meat.....

  20. J.... W....

    It isn't just hoomans - I can attest that horses love this song. ;)

  21. J.... B....

    I used this song at the beginning of my student teaching experience in 1994. I provided the students with a copy of the lyrics. What an impression made. At the end of the term, I played it again and reminded them that they had the potential to be outstanding.

  22. j.... t....

    Mr. Nolan...incase you visit here...1982 and before is how I know Dan Music,

  23. R.... C....

    Hoe can you create a video about horse racing, and not include Secretariat? Kinda like a video about NASA with no space shuttles....

  24. k.... p....

    Always loved this song, then, just a few months ago, I found this album in a dumpster, along with over 60 other classic albums from the time! Hit the jackpot that day...

  25. L.... G....

    So beautiful so sweet great video I love baby so much, and.the,mum..too,watching, them.leaves. me.so.peacefull ,,.beautiful. song 😁😎😉😄😎😍😙🙄💙💙💙

  26. I.... ....

    here it is 2019 and more beautiful horses are dying on race tracks ...WHY troubling but WHY.....

  27. M.... J....

    post a bunch of lying winning prizes on here.

  28. M.... J....

    momma loves her baby foal! stays close to her side...so touching....

  29. a.... d....

    I made it through 10 seconds of the lyrics before I started bawling.

  30. W.... S....

    Great singer..Greatly missed..Great music..miss you Dan..2019

  31. S.... S....

    still one of my favorite somgs

  32. R.... b....

    I love horses,so glad they have a beautiful song for them

  33. C.... L....

    Ever year around Derby time I come find this song. It's a truly marvelous lyric. And whoever blended the song with these beautiful images should be commended!

  34. T.... L....

    Miss you mom. RIP Gwendolyn Claire Jackson Leeder. I will always run for the Roses. 🌹🌹🌹🌹😇🌹🌹🌹🌹 For you Mother.

  35. R.... J....

    Balls...It's all about the money....$25 hundred dollar claimer that don't win....well it ain't pretty. But he is right.. it is the run of their lifetime, a short one for some. RIP Dan F.

  36. N.... R....

    Fantastic voice, lyrics, and harmony Thank you Dan. Miss you!

  37. r.... c....

    This is like KRYPTONITE, I remember my mom coming to pick me up the day they put Ruffian down ...I was crying cause she was crying, dad was crying because we were both crying .

  38. S.... ....

    Creative Music died when Madonna came along and turned it all into striptease

  39. J.... D....

    I played this song for my mother when it first came out. When she was young girl she had a horse which she rode all over the town in Maine she grew up in, That was back in the 1920's. She always asked in her latter years around this time if I could play this song. She passed in 2007 at 93 years old. I am sure she is looking down today on the Derby,.Watching the horse's running fast and proud.

  40. J.... G....

    I WANT TO DEDICATE THIS VIDEO TO ROBYN MARIE PROCTOR,,I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WATCH THE KENTUCKY DERBY,,LIKE I DO,,THIS SONG WOULD BE APPROPRIATE,,✌,💘,YOUR FRIEND JOSEPH

  41. P.... ....

    Bless all the horses, and their riders in the 2019 Derby!

  42. D.... H....

    Cheers to the 145th Derby! May the tradition never fade...

  43. C.... C....

    This song makes me cry....with pride for my state & sadness at the loss of Dan Fogleberg.
    Sign me
    Ky Gal

  44. M.... o....

    kentucky derby!!!YES

  45. M.... t....

    Did this song come out before or after 1985?

    M.... t....

    1982 I think

  46. M.... C....

    Bordering on animal cruelty....just for human sport

  47. A.... G....

    Song takes me way back. I remember hearing this on AM radio for the first time when I was just a toddler.

  48. R.... R....

    Good luck to 2019 Kentucky Derby!

  49. E.... H....

    A wonderful tribute to beautiful horses that run in Kentucky derby

  50. L.... K....

    All I think of when I hear this is BIG RED....RIP SECRETARIAT

    L.... K....

    My thoughts too.

  51. J.... S....

    'Ol 55 by the Eagles

  52. M.... o....

    great song!

  53. w.... ....

    Only 3 weeks away from the 2019 Kentucky Derby! Looks like a talented field this year.

  54. D.... L....

    A special person God Bless

  55. S.... P....

    I just love this song, & also The Leader of the Band! This song is beautiful! Leader of the Band reminds me of my Poppa, who sang, & played Steel, Elec., & Acustic guitar, Violin, & 5 string Banjo! I especially love the words "...his gentle means of sculpting souls took me years to understand!"!!! I love Mr. Folgerberg's beautiful voice! RIP, Dan! Why do we lose the great ones so young? 😢💔💛🙏🙏🙏

    S.... P....

    We lose the great or better ones at a young age because God wants them for HIS an gels.

  56. D.... C....

    This is my favorite song " Run for the Roses", it speaks to all our hearts. It's time to join in "the dance", For me , it's living life to the fullest and serving God where He leads me. I can't be held back by others believes, I must follow my calling with
    God whatever he asks me to do and where to serve him. I've never been a people pleaser and people try to manipulate or control others but I feel his spirit and he is the one I was taught to follow at all costs through service and Worship of Jesus and God.

  57. J.... W....

    Many thanks. Beautiful. I'm cry.

  58. J.... H....

    So strange to have a song about this.

  59. L.... R....

    NOTHING BEAUTIFUL ABOUT THIS SONG.NOTHING BEAUTIFUL ABOUT ABUSING ANIMALS/HORSES FOR MONEY

  60. m.... b....

    My mother died in 82 (barrel racer /jockey) always thought Dan wrote this for her !!! Lol

  61. S.... ....

    Whoever thought a song about a horse could be so powerful?

  62. H.... S....

    ...and down the stretch they come...!

  63. S.... B....

    Grew up in a small town in southern Indiana across the river from Louisville. As a Cleveland resident in my adult life, I miss that life.. gato del sol...

  64. A.... B....

    How would you like to have a BIT in your mouth. How would you like to be "broken". Why do you need spurs and a crop? What if some aliens arrived on this planet and "tamed" you?

  65. P.... B....

    I just love this song♡

  66. K.... A....

    Dan Fogelberg was a story teller, like Gordon Lightfoot and Jim Croce. He could paint a picture with words as well as anyone. A lot of his music is dated by style and content, but for me, that's ok. It's dated from a time that was easier to enjoy life, a time I like to visit when I'm not at my best emotionally. Wish there were more songs to revisit, but at least we have the ones he created before his way too soon passing.

  67. T.... A....

    What a loss of talent. R. I. P. Dan.........we still love your music.

  68. J.... V....

    i miss dan such a beautiful voice I ,ll always will miss his music ……. rip dan

  69. g.... ....

    This makes cry. I don't know why. I think it's the love for the baby by its mama.

  70. f.... ....

    I can't believe I'm just now hearing this, wow, truly an awesome piece of work! Amazing!

  71. D.... B....

    Awww that is Mario Gutierrez at the end! One of my favorite jockeys ! My first favorite I ever had to be honest

  72. D.... B....

    This should be played on the broadcast of the Kentucky derby every year !!!

  73. A.... H....

    I Miss Churchill Downs so much

  74. S.... E....

    Really like this song, heard it first on the country album "Pure country" :)

  75. M.... L....

    HORSERACING-What a terribly stressful sport that they put those poor horses through!!

    M.... L....

    2 1/2 minutes of running your heart out, and twenty years of pampering and sex. Sounds like an easy life, to me . . .

  76. N.... D....

    What amazing, marvelous horses!

    Go with God, Dan Fogelberg. You are missed.

  77. S.... P....

    There is no music this good that I can pinpoint today. If it's there, the music biz and greedy fans stealing music have the great artist hidden.

  78. s.... ....

    This song was commissioned by ABC for the 1980 Kentucky Derby.

    Genuine Risk, who won it, lived a long life and passed away in 2008 at 31, the year after Fogelberg died of cancer.

  79. M.... U....

    There aren't many songs that make me cry, but this one does it every time. It's so beautiful, and expresses life in such an elegant way.

    M.... U....

    Huh.... *THIS* song makes you cry?? Bwahahahaha that's just outright pathetic!!!!

  80. W.... F....

    What a tender and beautiful song...I pray you’re still singing in Heaven Mr. Fogelberg.

  81. K.... S....

    I can't believe they stopped playing this before the Derby. Such a perfect song for that.

  82. M.... M....

    Precious are my childhood memories of the 2 Horses that I rode.. that I loved and cared about.. Farm life was wonderful for me.. I will always remember our horses.. we rode them on our Farm.. I was fortunate to have such love from them.. When I was almost 9, we moved to a suburban area.. I was never to see them again.. yet, my Heart will hold their love Forever.. Beautiful Souls.. Xo..

  83. d.... ....

    Another Triple Crown winner.. these are amazing times............

  84. D.... D....

    Just don't forget Secretariat was the greatest that ever was and the greatest that will ever be. Rarely do you get to witness perfection watching this great horse was as perfect as it gets.

  85. D.... M....

    You ran for the roses Justify and now you join in the dance! Congratulations Justify and Mike Smith.

  86. J.... ....

    My favorite Dan Fogelberg song.

  87. L.... W....

    BEAUTIFUL..
    JUST BEAUTIFUL....
    I CRY EVERY SINGLE TIME...... BECAUSE FOR TOO MANY THE FATE OF THESE BEAUTIFUL CREATURES OF GOD...... ARE BEING SLAUGHTERED... THAT'S CORRECT..... I SAID SLAUGHTERED..... NOT FOR GLUE...
    NOT FOR PET FOOD......
    FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION.........!!!!

    THE VILE DISGUSTING BEINGS ARE EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD....... BECAUSE. SOME ASSHOLE SAID.. HORSES ARE LIVESTOCK.......!!
    THAT MEANS......
    YOUNG..
    OLD..
    SOUND.....
    HEALTHY..... OR NOT....!!!
    MARES.... IN FOAL..
    BABIES...SOMETIMES DAYS OLD....... ARE SOLD....FOR THIS..... FOR THIS.... THEIR MEAT.....AND IF THIS DOESN'T OPEN YOUR EYES........ THEY'VE EVEN BEEN KNOWN TO BE STOLEN ........ STOLEN.....SOMETIMES BY PEOPLE YOU KNOW AND TRUST......!!!!
    OUR BEAUTIFUL MAJESTIC CREATURES OF GOD..... ARE BEING BUTCHERED....... AND, IT'S GOT TO BE STOPPED......!!!!!!!!!!!



    PLEASE RESEARCH.... PLATINUMS TICKET.......!!!!
    FOR EVERYONE THAT IS MOVED...... PLEASE.. SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE........


    THIS MUST END NOW......!!!
    OUR HORSES DO NOT DESERVE THIS.. NO ANIMALS DO.... BUT, WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU RODE OR SADDLED A CHICKEN......?????


    I'M ADVOCATING AGAINST ALLLLL SLAUGHTERING..... BUT. ESPECIALLY THESE BEAUTIFUL CREATURES......!!!!

  88. l.... n....

    who are the 38 to give this masterpiece a thumbs down?/??it boggles my mind, this is God's music.....

    l.... n....

    No Kidding . 38 Thumbs down ? Pfft......

    l.... n....

    People like me who hate cruelty to horses.....get it, greedy dummy???

    l.... n....

    Probably folks who are against the cruel 'sport' of horse racing. I love the song by don't like the sport.

  89. V.... U....

    Still riding the high of Justify winning the 144th running of The Kentucky Derby ♡♡♡

  90. Z.... ....

    In honor and respect for all these beautiful mares.
    And their foals. Dedicated to dear Zenyatta who’s recent foal did not make it. Devastating news today.
    So tragic.

  91. B.... W....

    I’ve always loved this song.

  92. L.... G....

    ❤️❤️gives me chills! We played this at our Kentucky Derby party!

  93. 1.... 1....

    I've always had a hard time equating this beautiful song to what it represents--an abusive 'sport' that exploits innocent animals who give their all, and is all about money. I am very glad Thoroughbred racing is slowly disappearing. The end can't come soon enough.

    1.... 1....

    Uh, sports in general is about exploiting athleticism for money. Wake up.

    1.... 1....

    Beautiful sentiment,Bryan.Listen carefully.Nothing can prepare them for what lies ahead...that's a warning,to my ears.Also Folgeberg WAS PAID TO WRITE IT,so he may not have been as into
    to the sport as people think.
    I see it as more a tribute to the majestic animal than to the greedy ugly manipulation of horse racing.People cry when they hear it and half of them don't even get why,but the subconscious
    mind knows it's sad because the horse sacrifices it's young and gorgeous life to evil people.

    1.... 1....

    Correction...he was not paid to write it,it was already written as a tribute to his own horses.ABC
    paid for the right to use it later .

    1.... 1....

    @sp44113 People have choices about the way they are treated. Animals do not.

  94. D.... C....

    In memory of secretariat, this song makes me emotional

  95. j.... c....

    I don’t know why they do not play this song along with “My Old Kentucky Home” at the Kentucky Derby, to me it seems more fitting for the race, it is all about the race.

  96. C.... W....

    Not a bad song if you speed it up by twice...

  97. B.... V....

    Years ago, I had a center, front-row seat at a Dan Fogelberg performance in Reno. It was just him, his guitars and piano on stage that evening. I'll never forget the feeling I had when he sat down at the piano and began to play this beautiful song. I'm so grateful for all of his music.

    I wonder how many Kentucky Derby contenders hear this song the night before or morning of the race? ☺ Congratulations, Justify!!