Thursday, March 03, 2011

The Sharp Knife of a Short Life

The Band Perry
This family trio, all of them in their early 20's, are country music's brightest new act for 2010. Their platinum song is haunting, melancholy and memorable, and I'm feeling sad today. Sometimes you just need something that releases the pent up tears that are weighing down your heart. This is my cathartic poetry for today. I dedicate it here to my dear friends, Karen, Sharon, Becky and Chris who mourn the loss of their beautiful daughters. You can hear it on youtube.

The Sharp Knife of a Short Life
Music and Lyrics by The Band Perry

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
Ain't even grey, 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 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

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 them for a dollar
They're worth so much more after I’m a goner
And maybe then you’ll hear the words I been singin’
Funny when your dead how people start 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 (uh, oh)
The ballad of a dove (uh, oh)
Go with peace and love
Gather up your tears, keep ‘em in your pocket
Save them for a time when your 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

4 comments:

Gberger said...

Thank you for this gift, Karen. The words are very moving - some of them are so close to home, with her ashes in the water and the roses we scattered with them...

I am sending love to you with the prayer that your sadness will lift and joy will lighten your heart. I sent a txt message to you yesterday to tell you that we are filming today...if you would like to pray with us, I would be so thankful for your prayers. With much love xoxoxo

Karen said...

Karen, I am praying for you, dear friend.

j said...

i absolutely love this song, and it touches me every time i hear it. from now on i will think of you and your angel every time i listen to it.

Anonymous said...

You always fill my heart with just the right things. I love the words and have never heart the song. I think about heaven so much as of late. Imagine that is the only happy place with perfection! xoxo Sharon