Well we've been going together
Since the eighth of November
And though it seems like forever
I very clearly remember
You told me on our first date
What you'd do on my birthday
Well hooray it's my birthday!
And frankly, baby, I can't wait.

I don't want to die a virgin

The other day I discovered
A magazine of my brother's
I read it under the covers
It got me all hot and bothered.
Now every time that I see you
Your uniform becomes see-through
You don't know how much I need you
The "Handy Andys" I've been through

I don't want to die a virgin

The pines and the cedars rejoice in his fall
How are you fallen from heaven?
Oh Hellel, star of the morning

With all the bombs and the bird-flu
We're probably gonna be dead soon
And here we are in your bedroom
Oh did I tell you I love you I love you I love you
I can feel your heart beating
And your breathing increasing
Your folks are out for the evening
I really hope I'm not dreaming

I don't want to die a virgin

Overall Meaning

The Divine Comedy's song "To Die A Virgin" tells the story of a young couple eager to lose their virginity to each other. The song opens with the singer reminiscing about their first date, and how his/her partner had mentioned doing something special on their birthday. The singer expresses excitement at the thought of experiencing sexual intimacy for the first time, and emphasizes the desire to not die without having such an experience.

The second verse takes a more sensual turn, as the singer describes how discovering a magazine has fueled his/her desire for the partner. The singer suggests the partner's uniform becomes see-through, furthering the intensity of sexual desire. The singer addresses the partner's importance and the implied need for therapeutic sexual satisfaction as he/she mentions the mediocre sexual encounters with other individuals known as "Handy Andys".

The final verse of the song emphasizes the fragility of existence given the presence of potential events such as a pandemic like bird flu and war with bombs, which can bring about one's random and untimely death. The singer describes the joyous response of nature to the downfall of the Devil which invokes the question of morality and unusual behavior leading to one's death. The singer shares a moment of intimacy and vulnerability with the partner in the bedroom as they express their love for each other, emphasizing the singer's desire to savor the moment before eventual demise.

Line by Line Meaning

Well we've been going together
We've been together as a couple for a while

Since the eighth of November
Since a specific date in the past

And though it seems like forever
Even though it feels like a long time

I very clearly remember
I have a clear memory of something

You told me on our first date
You said something to me when we first went out

What you'd do on my birthday
What you planned to do for my birthday

Well hooray it's my birthday!
It's currently my birthday

And frankly, baby, I can't wait.
I'm really excited about it

I don't want to die a virgin
I don't want to leave this world without having experienced sex

The other day I discovered
Recently, I found something

A magazine of my brother's
My brother's magazine