Too Young
Ann.Louise Hanson & John Ballard Lyrics
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Then death must be the wind
You can close your window tight
And it still comes blowing in
So I will climb the highest hill
And I'll watch the rising sun
And pray that I won't feel the chill
Let me watch my children grow
To see what they become
Lord, don't let that cold wind blow
'Til I'm too old to die young
I have had some real good friends
I thought would never die
But all I've got that's left of them
Are these teardrops in my eye
Let me watch my children grow
To see what they become
Lord, don't let that cold wind blow
'Til I'm too old to die young
Lord, don't let that cold wind blow
'Til I'm too old to die young
The lyrics of Ann.Louise Hanson & John Ballard's song Too Young express a deep sense of the delicate balance between life and death. The comparison between life as a candle bright and death as the wind that blows it out creates a powerful image of the fragility of life. The idea that one can close the window but the wind still comes in is a metaphor for the inevitability of death. The lyrics then move onto the idea of climbing the highest hill to watch the rising sun, and praying not to feel the chill until too old to die young. This metaphor embodies the idea of someone trying to delay the inevitable which is death.
The next lines of the song talk about the hope of watching the growth of one's own children and the desire that the "cold wind" doesn't blow until the person is too old to die young. This hope for longevity is also coupled with a sense of nostalgia and loss when the lyrics talk about the singer's friends who have died. The idea that all that's left of them is 'teardrops in my eyes' is a powerful testament to the way in which death can impact our lives. The song concludes with a repeat of the earlier lines asking the Lord not to let the cold wind blow until it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
If life is like a candle bright
Life is a fleeting and temporary thing; just like a bright, shining candle flame.
Then death must be the wind
Death is inevitable and unpredictable, like the ever-present and uncontrollable wind.
You can close your window tight
You can try to protect yourself from death, but ultimately it cannot be avoided forever.
And it still comes blowing in
No matter how much you try to avoid it, death will inevitably come for you.
So I will climb the highest hill
In the face of death, the artist will try to rise above it and find meaning or purpose.
And I'll watch the rising sun
The singer will focus on the beauty and wonder of life, particularly the new beginnings represented by a rising sun.
And pray that I won't feel the chill
The singer hopes to avoid the fear and pain that often accompany death, and instead find comfort and peace.
'Til I'm too old to die young
The artist hopes to live a long and full life before facing death.
Let me watch my children grow
The artist values the joys and potential of parenthood and wants to see their children develop and thrive.
To see what they become
The artist is interested in the future and growth of their children, and wants to be a part of it.
Lord, don't let that cold wind blow
The singer is asking for divine protection and intervention to prevent death from coming too soon.
'Til I'm too old to die young
The artist reiterates their hope for a long and fulfilling life before facing death.
I have had some real good friends
The singer has experienced loss and understands the pain of losing loved ones.
I thought would never die
The singer had hoped that their friends would live forever or at least not die so soon.
But all I've got that's left of them
The singer has only memories and emotions left after the loss of their friends.
Are these teardrops in my eye
The artist still feels the pain of loss and mourns the absence of their friends.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: JOHN HADLEY, KEVIN WELCH, SCOTT DOOLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind