"ROSE GARDEN (I Never Promised You A Rose Garden)" A song written in 1967 by American singer-songwriter Joe South. It was first recorded by Billy Joe Royal on his 1967 studio album. Versions by South himself and Dobie Gray appeared shortly after the original. Gray's version became a minor hit in North America in 1969. In 1970, Lynn Anderson recorded "Rose Garden" after hearing South's original version. However, Anderson's producer rejected the song's recording because he did not consider it to b