If I Die Young

1. If I Die Young The Band Perry

2. 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

3. 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 ought to 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

4. 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 loving 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

5. 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 listening

6. 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 ballad of a dove Go with peace and love Gather up your tears, keep 'em in your pocket Save them for a time when you're really gonna need them, 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

7. Why this song? • Song’s message is interesting • A young person’s death should not be mourned; their life should be celebrated. • Not about love, money, or sex • Most new songs are about one of these topics

8. Speaker • Teenage girl • “I’ve never known the loving of a man/ But it sure felt nice when he was holding my hand” • Recently deceased • Died in a tragic accident • Car crash, mugging, etc. • Seems very mature • Isn’t selfish; wants her family to be able to move on

9. Figurative Language • Definition: words that are not meant to be interpreted literally • “I’m as green as the ring on my little cold finger” • The speaker is not ACTUALLY the color green • She is referring to the fact that she is young, or new to the world

10. Simile • Definition: A figure of speech comparing two unlike things using “like” or “as” • “I’m as green as the ring on my little cold finger” • Compares the speaker to the ring she is wearing using “as” • They are both new/young

11. End Rhyme • Definition: words with similar ending sounds appear at the end of lines • “The ballad of a dove/ Go with peace and love” • The words “dove” and “love” end with the same sound and also appear at the end of lines

12. Chorus 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 • Gives the theme of the song at the beginning • “If I die young…” • Shows the romantic ideals of youth • She (or he) doesn’t want to be mourned, she would rather have her life remembered • “Send me away with the words of a love song”

13. 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 ought to 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 • Concerned about how her family will deal with the loss • Wishes she could reassure her mother that everything will be okay • Death at a young age is unexpected, but she feels that she has lived a full life

14. 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 loving of a man But it sure felt nice when he was holding my hand If I die young, bury me in satin The sharp knife of a short life Lay me down on a bed of roses Well, I've had just enough time Sink me in the river at dawn Send me away with the words of a love song 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 • She never got to experience love • No one plans for death while they are young

15. 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 listening So put on your best, boys, and I’ll wear my pearls What I never did is done • It is too late to go back and do what she didn’t • People pay more attention to accomplishments and wisdom once the person who did it is dead

16. The ballad of a dove Go with peace and love Gather up your tears, keep ‘em in your pocket Save them for a time when you’re really gonna need them, oh 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 So put on your best boys And I’ll wear my pearls • Her family shouldn’t be sad about her death; there are other things that could be worse

17. Addie Bundren • Died at a young age • “If I die young…” • The book makes it seem like Addie is about 46 (not super young, but not a full life either) • Would not want people to cry about her death • “Gather up your tears…” • “I would look forward to the times when they faulted, so I could whip them.” • Does not show normal emotions; wouldn’t want others to waste time and energy on mourning

18. Addie Bundren • Was ready to die • “Well, I’ve had just enough time” • “He had a word, too. Love, he called it. But I had been used to words for a long time. I knew that that word was like those others: just a shape to fill a lack that when the right time came, you wouldn't need a word for that anymore than for pride or fear.”  • "The reason for living was to get ready to stay dead for a long time"

19. Sources Image ofThe Band Perry http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4104/5114488006_6094e7d977_o.jpg Song lyrics http://www.metrolyrics.com/if-i-die-young-lyrics-the-band-perry.html Definition of simile http://www.merriam-webster.com (Other definitions from textbook)