The Band Perry

When I came home today, I could hear music being played below us.  And as I listened closer, I recognized the song.  I believe I was first introduced to it a few years ago from one of my sister's mixes, and then I saw the music video a few months ago.  "If I Die Young" by The Band Perry is a rather poignant Country song about death and the "sharp knife of a short life".  And while I enjoy the song, and find the lyrics strangely haunting, I cannot imagine listening to it over and over again.  It makes me wonder if they are okay.  It's such a sad song to listen to. 

You never know what people are going through, and often, music can speak better than words.  I know there have been many times that I've listened to a particular song over, or made whole playlists dedicated to a feeling.  I enjoy music and appreciate it's ability to identify a situation and say exactly what I'm thinking, and put it all to a melody.  I've spent my life collecting songs with this ability, and as I reflect on them, I can see and appreciate the need to fixate on one song.

But this one is sad, and sharp, and while beautiful yes, it is haunting.

It makes me think about death.

And as I laid there listening, I thought about the circumstances that brought this song to fruition.  Mortality is a heavy subject, and mortality of a young person, is even harder.  The hardest part, when I think of a young person dying, is that they haven't had a chance to live their life.  Life is hard, but it's worth living, and when someone doesn't have the chance to live, it's a very sad thing.

And this song takes that and puts it out in the open.  It makes you wonder why it was written, what was going on it their lives that this song needed to happen, and then what is going on in my neighbor's life that she needs to listen to it over and over...  Like I said, it makes me wonder if everything is okay in their world. 

If I Die Young by The Band Perry

If I die young, bury me in satin

Lay me down on a, bed of roses

Sink me in the river, at dawn

Send me away with the words of a love song

Uh oh, uh oh

Lord make me a rainbow, I'll shine down on my mother

She'll know I'm safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh and

Life ain't always what you think it ought to be, no

Ain't even grey, but she buries her baby

The sharp knife of a short life, well

I've had, just enough time

If I die young, bury me in satin

Lay me down on a, bed of roses

Sink me in the river, at dawn

Send me away with the words of a love song

The sharp knife of a short life, well

I've had, just enough time

And I'll be wearing white, when I come into your kingdom

I'm as green as the ring on my little, cold finger, I've

Never known the lovin' of a man

But it sure felt nice when he was holding my hand, there's a

Boy here in town who says he'll love me forever,

Who would have thought forever could be severed by

The sharp knife of a short life, well,

I've had, just enough time

So put on your best boys and I'll wear my pearls

What I never did is done

A penny for my thoughts, oh no, I'll sell them for a dollar

They're worth so much more after I'm a goner

And maybe then you'll hear the words I been singin'

Funny when you're dead how people start listenin'

If I die young, bury me in satin

Lay me down on a, bed of roses

Sink me in the river, at dawn

Send me away with the words of a love song

Uh oh (uh, oh)

The ballad of a dove (uh, oh)

Go with peace and love

Gather up your tears, keep 'em in your pocket

Save them for a time when you're really gonna need them, oh

The sharp knife of a short life, well

I've had, just enough time

So put on your best boys and I'll wear my pearls