The song was initially sold to Peter, Paul and Mary for $5,000.
Later, it was covered by Blood, Sweat & Tears (of whom Nyro had considered becoming lead singer).
And When I Die
Laura Nyro Lyrics
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there'll be one child born and a world to carry on, to carry on.
I'm not scared of dying and I don't really care.
If it's peace you find in dying, well, then let the time be near.
If it's peace you find in dying, when dying time is here,
just bundle up my coffin cause it's cold way down there,
I hear that's it's cold way down there, yeah, crazy cold way down there.
there'll be one child born and a world to carry on, to carry on.
My troubles are many, they're as deep as a well.
I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell.
Swear there ain't no heaven and pray there ain't no hell,
but I'll never know by living, only my dying will tell,
only my dying will tell, yeah, only my dying will tell.
And when I die and when I'm gone,
there'll be one child born and a world to carry on, to carry on.
Give me my freedom for as long as I be.
All I ask of living is to have no chains on me.
All I ask of living is to have no chains on me,
and all I ask of dying is to go naturally, only want to go naturally.
Don't want to go by the devil, don't want to go by the demon,
don't want to go by Satan, don't want to die uneasy,
just let me go naturally.
And when I die and when I'm gone,
there'll be one child born, there'll be one child born.
When I die, there'll be one child born.
When I die, there'll be one child born.
When I die, there'll be one child born.
When I die, there'll be one child born.
Laura Nyro's "And When I Die" is a song that captures the singer's perspective on death and dying. The opening lines speak of a new birth that will happen even as the singer passes away. The lyrics suggest a sense of continuity and hope that life will go on, and someone new will take up the mantle of living. The imagery of a child's birth also evokes a sense of innocence and renewal, suggesting that death is not an end but another stage of life.
Nyro goes on to reflect on her own feelings about dying, stating that she is not afraid of it, nor does she care all that much if it happens. This is a bold statement that may be difficult for many to accept, but it speaks to the singer's desire to see death as a natural part of life, rather than something to be feared or avoided at all costs. She imagines that dying might bring a sense of peace, and she expresses a desire for her death to be as natural as possible, without any meddling from outside forces.
The third verse speaks of the singer's troubles, which she says are as deep as a well. She seems to suggest that life can be incredibly difficult and that there may be no easy answers or solutions to the challenges we face. This is a sobering reflection that stands in contrast to the hopeful tone of the earlier verses. However, the song ends on a positive note, with Nyro reiterating her desire for freedom and a natural death. The final lines of the song repeat the idea that as she dies, a new child will be born, suggesting that life, ultimately, is a cycle that continues even in the face of death.
Line by Line Meaning
And when I die and when I'm dead, dead and gone, there'll be one child born and a world to carry on, to carry on.
Despite my passing, the world will continue as one child will be born to take my place and continue on with life.
I'm not scared of dying and I don't really care. If it's peace you find in dying, well, then let the time be near.
I am not afraid of death and I am indifferent towards it. If death brings peace, then I am ready for it.
If it's peace you find in dying, when dying time is here, just bundle up my coffin cause it's cold way down there, I hear that's it's cold way down there, yeah, crazy cold way down there.
If death brings peace, then I am ready for it. Just make sure to bundle up my coffin because I have heard that it will be very cold down there.
My troubles are many, they're as deep as a well. I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell.
I am dealing with many problems, as deep as a well. I do not believe in heaven, but I hope that there is no hell.
Swear there ain't no heaven and pray there ain't no hell, but I'll never know by living, only my dying will tell, only my dying will tell, yeah, only my dying will tell.
I am certain that there is no heaven, but I hope that there is no hell. I will never find out the truth while living, only in death will I know.
Give me my freedom for as long as I be. All I ask of living is to have no chains on me.
I want to be free for as long as I live. All I want in life is to not be tied down.
All I ask of living is to have no chains on me, and all I ask of dying is to go naturally, only want to go naturally. Don't want to go by the devil, don't want to go by the demon, don't want to go by Satan, don't want to die uneasy, just let me go naturally.
All I want in life is to not be held back by chains, and all I want in death is for it to happen naturally. I do not want to be taken by any evil forces, I just want to go peacefully.
And when I die and when I'm gone, there'll be one child born and a world to carry on, to carry on.
Even in death, life will continue with the birth of a new child who will carry on and keep the world going.
When I die, there'll be one child born. When I die, there'll be one child born. When I die, there'll be one child born. When I die, there'll be one child born.
Reiterating the fact that after I die, there will still be new life in the form of a born child who will carry on with life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Laura Nyro
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@j.c7719
Laura Nyro was one hell of a songwriter. Wise beyond anyone’s years. Prodigal genius. She is a giant of music.
@danocable
V love, I cannot agree more. I’m 58, born in 64 I can remember my sisters playing this song when I was six dancing and laughing also Eli’s coming. She’s gold.🤗❤️
@steffensafford250
Eye just got out of the Army 1970 went to VA for help found Laura's music it saved my life 🙏
@val2241049
One of the greatest songs ever written and recorded. This woman was way, way ahead of her time.
@pteeng1
Way, way ahead, that's how far.
@cootaloot
I'm curious about how far ahead she was. Was she the first to use words?
@lupcokotevski2907
In the broad genre of pop, she was up to 40 years ahead, in my view, depending on what aspect of her singing and songwriting you are talking about: 3+ octave melodies, hybrid chords which put the song in two keys at the same time, jazz progressions, wide intervals, polyrhythms, multi-style song integration, loud/soft dynamics, rapid key/tempo/rhythm changes, intense soulful singing, use of improvising jazz musicians, etc. And she wrote the first pop song about gay female love (Emmie), a song about abortion (Gibsom St), blatant sex (The Confession, Women's Blue's), infidelity (Tom Cat Good Bye). All this and more in the 1960's when much of pop was simple 3 chord bubblegum music sung with no soul by girls/guys who had little or zero artistic control over the record company. Nyro's song December's Boudoir (1968), is still ahead of its time - as wonderfully strange now as it was in 1968.
@JerryStanaway
Yes. In the whole history of humanity, she was the first to ever use words. Thanks for asking.
@fayerson
Actually, in comparison to the hot garbage that passes as music today, i would say she was right on time. It all went to shit sometime in the mid 90's.
@kings-bay-2902
This song by Laura Nyro will be played at my funeral my kids and grand kids have been told this