"If I Die Young"
A Song by The Band Perry
About the Band
The Band Perry is a fairly new American country music group, formed by three siblings: Kimberly, Reid, and Neil Perry. Their manager, Bob Doyle, has been a key figure in helping them develop into the popular band they are today. The Perry children grew up singing together and singed on with Republic Nashville in August of 2009 where they formally released their first debut single, “Hip to My Heart.” Most of their songs carry strong themes of death, love, and youth, and all three of the siblings worked together with Brett Beavers to write their first song. After “Hip to My Heart” began to lose popularity, Kimberly worked to create “If I Die Young.” The song was released in 2010 and quickly became number 1 on the country music chart. The Band Perry continues to rise in popularity and released their new album Pioneer on April 2, 2013. CJF
Relation to "Tragic Events"
Nothing in this world is more tragic than a young death and this song gives the person who dies a way to express how they want to be remembered. The song also allows the listener to see the affect their death has on the people who knew them. CJF
"If I Die Young"
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 holdin' my hand,
There's a boy here in town, 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 'em 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 (oh, uh)
Go with peace and love
Gather up your tears, keep 'em in your pocket
Save 'em for a time when you're really gonna need 'em, 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. CJF
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 holdin' my hand,
There's a boy here in town, 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 'em 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 (oh, uh)
Go with peace and love
Gather up your tears, keep 'em in your pocket
Save 'em for a time when you're really gonna need 'em, 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. CJF
Music Video of "If I Die Young"
Found by: CJF
Uploaded by: RLS
Uploaded by: RLS
Discussion Questions and Activities
1. Watch the music video and discuss how well the band portrayed the song.
2. Get in small groups and have each person discuss three things they want to do before they die. Have students think about how their goals will leave a lasting impact or fade with them when they die. Ask them how they want to be remembered.
3. Think about the two people that the girl talks about after she has died. How does her consideration for her mother and the boy she loved reflect the feelings of those who are left behind?
4. Is there irony in this song? Think about how the woman talks about what will happen when she is dead, telling boys to "put on your best" and saying she will "wear her pearls." CJF
2. Get in small groups and have each person discuss three things they want to do before they die. Have students think about how their goals will leave a lasting impact or fade with them when they die. Ask them how they want to be remembered.
3. Think about the two people that the girl talks about after she has died. How does her consideration for her mother and the boy she loved reflect the feelings of those who are left behind?
4. Is there irony in this song? Think about how the woman talks about what will happen when she is dead, telling boys to "put on your best" and saying she will "wear her pearls." CJF
Essay and Response Questions
1. Could this song be about someone contemplating suicide? How does the meaning of the song change when people look at it from this perspective?
2. Think about a death that has impacted your life. How does this song line up with the grief and questions surrounding death? How well does the girl in the song answer these questions?
3. Look at the line, “The sharp knife of a short life, well/ I’ve had just enough time.” If you were to die today, would you be content with the way you have lived your life? What are some life goals that you believe people should reach? Explain why these goals are essential to living a full life.
4. In one of the later verses of the song, the writer discusses how people’s thoughts and words are worth more after they have passed away. Do we live in a society where this is true? Are we so caught up in learning from the past that we forget to listen to the lessons people want to share today? CJF
2. Think about a death that has impacted your life. How does this song line up with the grief and questions surrounding death? How well does the girl in the song answer these questions?
3. Look at the line, “The sharp knife of a short life, well/ I’ve had just enough time.” If you were to die today, would you be content with the way you have lived your life? What are some life goals that you believe people should reach? Explain why these goals are essential to living a full life.
4. In one of the later verses of the song, the writer discusses how people’s thoughts and words are worth more after they have passed away. Do we live in a society where this is true? Are we so caught up in learning from the past that we forget to listen to the lessons people want to share today? CJF
Formatting by: RLS