Literary Lyrics: If I Die Young

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Guys, this song has been on repeat on my Grooveshark playlist for two days (I'm too cheap to buy it on iTunes). The lyrics I have talked about so far either featured or were featured in literary works, but in this case, I am featuring the song just because the lyrics are gorgeous and well-written. I think this song has also been on my mind because in my nursing clinicals, we had a really good discussion about how nursing causes you to reevaluate your perceptions of death. I'm hoping to work in pediatric oncology, and I'm really hoping especially to work with adolescents, so tragedy is going to be part of my daily rounds. I've been in a more contemplative mood and this song has really seemed to fit with my thoughts. But enough about my ramblings. I'm going to italicize the lines that I think are particularly well done. Actually, that's a lie. I wanted to italicize the whole song.

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

- Kimberly Perry

PS: Music video = tres cheesy. So just listen to it. Haha.