The Band Perry, “If I Die Young”

2010 has been a whirlwind year for Kimberly Perry and her two siblings in The Band Perry. The group’s current hit, “If I Die Young,” just reached Number 1 at US country radio and the band was in Canada playing a special show for a Calgary radio station when they found out they’d also been nominated for a Grammy. “ ‘If I Die Young’ is a song about contentment. I wrote it on a cloudy day in East Tennessee where I do my best thinking,” Kimberly tells American Songwriter. “It was a moment in time when I looked around and said – even though I’m only 27, I’ve gotten to live and love so completely. I’ve made the most of my minutes and as long as I continue to, whatever time I spend on the planet will be just enough. It’s a song about life more than death. A contemplation. A lullaby.” Jimmy Harnen, the president of The Band Perry’s record label, Republic Nashville, says he knew the song was special when he first heard it. “I have always been a person that is first attracted to the voice and the melody of a song. The first time I heard ‘If I Die Young,’ Kimberly’s voice just stopped me in my tracks. It was country with a touch of rock…and so full of soul and honesty. I was instantly drawn in. I was also just blown away by the melody. Especially the “oh oh” part. The song was so fresh…so cutting edge and yet it felt so instantly familiar. Lyrically, well there was nothing like it. ‘Funny when you’re dead how people start listen.’ How sadly true is that. It is a spectacular song…hands down.”

“If I Die Young”

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
Uh oh, Uh oh

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 it ain’t even gray but she buries her baby
The sharp knife of a short life
Well I’ve had just enough time

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 lovin’ of a man
But it sure felt nice when he was holdin’ my hand
There’s a boy here in town who 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

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’ve been singing
Funny when you’re dead how people start a-listenin’

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
Uh oh
The ballad of the dove
Uh oh
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 ‘em
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’

Written by Kimberly Perry

© 2010 Pearlfeather Publishing (BMI) (Administered by Rio Bravo Music, Inc.). All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.