If I Die Young
Glee Cast Lyrics

If I die young bury me in satin
If I happen to pass at a young age, I'd like to be laid to rest in a satin fabric.

Lay me down on a bed of roses
Once I'm gone, I'd like to rest on something beautiful like a bed of roses.

Sink me in the river at dawn
Send me off to the afterlife by placing me in a river at dawn.

Send me away with the words of a love song
When the time comes for me to leave, play a love song that'll send me off with grace.

The sharp knife of a short life,
A short life can be cruel and sudden like a sharp knife.

Well, I've had just enough time
I have only just experienced and learned enough to be content with my existence.

Lord make me a rainbow
I hope to attain metaphorical and spiritual enlightenment in my afterlife.

I'll shine down on my mother
From beyond, I will offer light and protection to my beloved mother.

She'll know I'm safe with you when
My mother will have no fear for my safety since she will trust that I am safe with the divine figure.

She stands under my colors, oh and
When my mother thinks of me, she will remember my colorful and spirited personality.

Life ain't always what you think it oughta be, no
Life isn't always what we imagine or want it to be.

Ain't even grey, but she buries her baby
Despite the world not taking on a somber or melancholic tone, my mother is still burying me.

And I'll be wearing white when I come into your kingdom
Metaphorically speaking, I will wear something pure when I enter the afterlife.

I'm as green as the ring on my little cold finger
I haven't been alive long and have much to learn, much like how the green ring is a symbol of growth and new beginnings.

I've never known the lovin' of a man
I haven't experienced romantic affection or relationships with men.

But it sure felt nice when he was holding my hand
Despite the above, I enjoyed the physical affection and warmth of holding hands.

There's a boy here in town says he'll love me forever
There is a young man who claims he loves me unconditionally and eternally while still alive.

Who would have thought forever could be severed by
It's ironic and heartbreaking to realize that this young, promising love can be cut short.

So put on your best boys and I'll wear my pearls
Wear your best clothes and adornments to my funeral so we can honor and remember me with grandeur.

What I never did is done
I accept that any unfinished business or unfulfilled goals in my life cannot be accomplished now that I'm gone.

A penny for my thoughts
I'd like to share my innermost thoughts and emotions on what I value in the world.

Oh no, I'll sell them for a dollar
But to anyone who listens, even if they didn't mean anything to me, those thoughts are worth a lot.

They're worth so much more after I'm a goner
Only when I'm gone, people will understand the worth and importance of my thoughts.

And maybe then you'll hear the words I been singin'
Maybe now that I'm gone, people will listen and understand the messages I tried to convey through my singing.

Funny when you're dead how people start listenin'
It's peculiar that people start paying attention to my music after my death.

The ballad of a dove
This is the tale of a dove, which is a symbol of love and purity, and its fate.

Go with peace and love
Let this bird go and ascend to the afterlife with peace and love.

Gather up your tears
Don't let your grief go to waste; collect it and confront it so you can heal.

Keep 'em in your pocket
It's important to acknowledge and remember the pain so it becomes a natural and positive part of the healing process.

Save 'em for a time when you're really gonna need 'em, oh
It's good to have your tears and grief with you, ready to confront and heal when you're ready.

Uh oh (uh oh)
This is a wordless section of the song, likely taking from the melodious and somber tone to describe a pause or an emotional moment.

Ooh yeah
Similar to the previous line, this is also an additional wordless section of the song, to evoke emotion and reflect on the previous lines.

Ooh whoa
Another wordless section to end the song, to finalize the emotional impact of the song on the listener.