If I Die Young – English Lyrics

• By: The Band Perry

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the lyrical depth of The Band Perry's "If I Die Young." This song offers a beautiful blend of poetic imagery and profound reflections on life, loss, and contentment. As you explore its simple yet powerful language, you'll discover new vocabulary related to emotions, nature, and human relationships, making it an ideal choice for enhancing your English comprehension and appreciation for storytelling through music. Its poignant narrative and heartfelt delivery make it a memorable and engaging piece for language learners.

[English]

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

Oh-oh, oh-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 oughta be, no

Ain't even gray, 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, 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 singing

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

Oh-oh (oh-oh)

The ballad of a dove

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

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
die /daɪ/ A1	verb - to stop living
young /jʌŋ/ A1	adjective - being in an early stage of life, growth, or development
bury /ˈberi/ B1	verb - to put a dead body into the ground
satin /ˈsætɪn/ B2	noun - a smooth, glossy fabric
bed /bed/ A1	noun - a piece of furniture for sleeping or resting on
roses /ˈroʊzɪz/ A2	noun - plural of rose (a type of flower)
river /ˈrɪvər/ A1	noun - a large natural stream of water flowing in a channel to the sea, a lake, or another such stream.
dawn /dɔːn/ B1	noun - the first light of day; daybreak
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - an intense feeling of affection.
song /sɔːŋ/ A1	noun - a musical composition with words
rainbow /ˈreɪnboʊ/ A2	noun - an arc of colors formed in the sky by refraction of the sun's rays in raindrops
mother /ˈmʌðər/ A1	noun - a female parent
safe /seɪf/ A1	adjective - protected from or not exposed to danger or risk.
life /laɪf/ A1	noun - the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death.
gray /ɡreɪ/ A1	adjective - of a color intermediate between black and white.
baby /ˈbeɪbi/ A1	noun - a very young child
sharp /ʃɑːrp/ B1	adjective - having an edge or point that is able to cut or pierce something.
knife /naɪf/ A1	noun - an instrument with a sharp blade used for cutting.
short /ʃɔːrt/ A1	adjective - of small length or duration