# Best Song About Death and Dying **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 18, 2007, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-about-death-and-dying/408515 "2007-06-18T22:12:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Ghanima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Ghanima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghanima)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-about-death-and-dying/408515/61 "2007-06-19T17:59:44Z")
Frontier Wives: Big River, deep river is going to carry me. If I die in the night, don’t you bury me, Just drop me in the water and I’ll float out to sea. Into the water with me. Blue water, dark water, Ain’t no reason to cry. From the bottom of the ocean I can look at the sky There ain’t no reason to cry. When I’m gone, I’ll be gone forever. And when I die, I’ll be free. Forever… They have another song that goes: I want to die Like a Frontier Wife With a heart strong and true And a six-gun nestled by my side! ---
**Author:** ![Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f19dbf/32.png) [@Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Only_Mostly_Dead)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-about-death-and-dying/408515/62 "2007-06-19T20:44:51Z")
[QUOTE=Ludovic] I agree with the sound, that of a pop-punk-meets-70s-semiprog, but I sort of disagree with the hollowness. Sure, each individual song on the album seems hollow, but each of them seems to be written from the perspective of a _different_ person who died. So not each of them will fully explore the concept of death and dying, but overall, the album does. [/QUOTE] Don’t get me wrong, I love the album. I get a laugh out of **Mama** every time, because of its ridiculously clever use of a very cabaret sound. **This is How I Disappear** is one of the best straightforward rock songs I’ve heard in a while (and I would love to see it released as a single). The entire album is good music, but it’s not art, and not as lasting as a lot of the other songs listed. …Especially **Seasons in the Sun**. ---
**Author:** ![Judith\_Prietht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@Judith\_Prietht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Judith_Prietht)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-about-death-and-dying/408515/63 "2007-06-19T21:23:12Z")
“Meet Me In Heaven” by Johnny Cash: Can’t be sure of how’s it’s going to be When we walk into the light across the bar But I’ll know you and you’ll know me Out there beyond the stars We’ve seen the secret things revealed by God And we heard what the angels had to say Should you go first, or if you follow me Will you meet me in Heaven someday ---
**Author:** ![Crazy\_Canuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazy_canuck/32/5282_2.png) [@Crazy\_Canuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazy_Canuck)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2007, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-about-death-and-dying/408515/64 "2007-06-20T17:42:22Z")
Lots of great songs already mentioned on this list. I’m a bit surprised that “Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton isn’t mentioned, that song always gave me the heebie-jeebies. In a much, much, different vein, the only time I recall crying to a song was when a friend of mine sang “[Suicide is Painless](http://www.mash4077.co.uk/theme.html)” (the theme to M_A_S\*H) Simply blew me away. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2007, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-about-death-and-dying/408515/65 "2007-06-20T18:46:05Z")
I hate the song _Tears In Heaven_. I kinda think there are things in ones life you either shouldn’t sing about or shouldn’t explain in great detail what a songs about. I dunno… ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2007, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-about-death-and-dying/408515/66 "2007-06-20T19:48:12Z")
Somebody mentioned “death haunted country music”… [A few from the Carter Family](http://www.bluegrasswest.com/ideas/carter.htm): _The Wayworn Traveler_. (Bob Dylan borrowed the tune for “Paths of Victory.” But AP Carter got publishing rights on many tunes that were either public domain or forgotten Victorian parlor music. Call it “the folk process.”) > [@](#): > > I saw a wayworn traveler, in tattered garments clad > And struggling up the mountain, it seemed that he was sad > His back was laden heavy, his strength was almost gone > Yet shouted as he journeyed, Deliverance will come > > ``` > Then palms of victory, crowns of Glory > Palms of victory I shall wear > > ``` _Will You Miss Me?_ (With AP’s mournful refrain.) > [@](#): > > When death shall close these eyelids > And this heart shall cease to beat > And they lay me down to rest > In some flowery bowery tree > > ``` > Will you miss me (miss me when I'm gone) > Will you miss me (miss me when I'm gone) > Will you miss me (miss me when I'm gone) > Will you miss me when I'm gone > > ``` Who can forget _He Stopped Loving Her Today_ by the Great George Jones? Good country is never far from the blues. Texas Bluesman [Blind Lemon Jefferson](http://www.bobdylanroots.com/see.html) asked: > [@](#): > > Well, there’s one kind of favor I’ll ask of you, > Well, there’s one kind of favor I’ll ask of you, > There’s just one kind of favor I’ll ask of you, > You can see that my grave is kept clean. > > And there’s two white horses following me, > And there’s two white horses following me, > I got two white horses following me, > Waiting on my burying ground. Townes van Zandt had country & blues roots. First time I heard him, at Sand Mountain Coffee House in the 60’s, he played his first “serious” song: _Waitin’ Round to Die_. Now we’re in Singer-Songwriter territory. How about [John Hiatt](http://www.thejohnhiattarchives.com/main.html)? > [@](#): > > Up and down the Rio Grande > A thousand footprints in the sand > Reveal a secret no one can define > The river flows on like a breath > In between our life and death > Tell me who’s the next to cross the borderline ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2007, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-about-death-and-dying/408515/67 "2007-06-20T19:52:56Z")
_Fade To Black_ by Metallica. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2007, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-about-death-and-dying/408515/68 "2007-06-20T20:12:14Z")
[QUOTE=Bridget Burke] Now we’re in Singer-Songwriter territory. How about [John Hiatt](http://www.thejohnhiattarchives.com/main.html)? [/QUOTE] Good one! So many layers to that song. ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2007, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-about-death-and-dying/408515/69 "2007-06-20T20:31:08Z")
[QUOTE=August West] With the Grateful Dead mentions, you guys missed _Black Peter_, which never fails to choke me up. Especially this part: \* Just want to have a little peace to die and a friend or two I love at hand \* [/QUOTE] Yep. Much more on point than the others, even though “Box of Rain” was actually written for Phil Lesh’s dying father. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2007, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-about-death-and-dying/408515/70 "2007-06-20T20:34:16Z")
I love songs about death…a few favorites that come to mind are: \*30KFT \*by Assemblage 23: “Hello, if you’re there pick up the phone I’m calling from 30,000 feet above you The captain’s just informed us that our plane is going down So I’m calling for one last time to say I love you…” \*Disappoint \*by Assemblage 23 (addressed to his father, who committed suicide): “Just one more time For the sake of sanity Tell me why Explain the gravity That drove you to this That brought you to this place That pushed you down Into the soil’s embrace” \*Skellig \*by Loreena McKennitt: “Now take the hourglass And turn it on its head For when the sands are still 'Tis then you’ll find me dead.” _Oh Life (There Must Be More)_ by the Alan Parsons Project: "From the bridge she hears the voices Turn into a roar Oh life she cries There must be more On the dock her soul is sinking But her spirit longs to soar Oh life, she cries There must be more…" (I know I post these to all the sad/depressing songs threads, but they’re good songs and they do fit the criteria) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![melvin\_coznowski](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b487fb/32.png) [@melvin\_coznowski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melvin_coznowski)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2007, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-about-death-and-dying/408515/71 "2007-06-20T20:39:41Z")
I don’t think I’ve seen The Monkees’ “Goin’ Down” in this thread yet. And I loved “Seasons in the Sun” when I was a kid. I had no taste, but it was the 70s. No one had good taste in those days. Now I think “Keep Me in Your Heart For Awhile”, as someone mentioned before is just about the best one of the bunch. I cried when I first heard it (I thought of my dad, who died in 1998). ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2007, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-about-death-and-dying/408515/72 "2007-06-20T23:00:29Z")
A tip of the hat to \*\*Ludovic \*\* for _Marian_. And for something entirely different: \*Whisky Lullaby \* from Brad Paisley (country) And \*Country Death Song \* from Violent Femmes. Chilling stuff. Weird that I am a big goth fan and the two songs about death that immediately came to mind are country songs! ETA: Hadn’t seen page 2. \*\*Ludovic \*\* beat me to _Country Death Song_. Double tip of the hat to you, then. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2007, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-about-death-and-dying/408515/73 "2007-06-20T23:25:40Z")
[QUOTE=winterhawk11] \*Disappoint \*by Assemblage 23 (addressed to his father, who committed suicide [/QUOTE] Personally I prefer the lines: "Though you are gone I am still your son And while your pain is over Mine has just begun. Did I disappoint you? Did I let you down?" ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-about-death-and-dying/408515/74 "2007-06-21T02:10:07Z")
[QUOTE=melvin coznowski] I don’t think I’ve seen The Monkees’ “Goin’ Down” in this thread yet. And I loved “Seasons in the Sun” when I was a kid. I had no taste, but it was the 70s. No one had good taste in those days. Now I think “Keep Me in Your Heart For Awhile”, as someone mentioned before is just about the best one of the bunch. I cried when I first heard it (I thought of my dad, who died in 1998). [/QUOTE] First thing I did (when I had a chance) when my dad died last year was find the Wind cd and listen to “Keep Me in Your Heart For a While”. I found it cathartic. ---
**Author:** ![Mirror\_Image\_egamI\_rorriM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e56c9b/32.png) [@Mirror\_Image\_egamI\_rorriM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mirror_Image_egamI_rorriM)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-about-death-and-dying/408515/75 "2007-06-21T03:44:43Z")
“Eve of Destruction” by Bishop Allen. I tell you, over and over and over my friend, that I’m down with you, even on the eve of destruction. ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-about-death-and-dying/408515/76 "2007-06-21T03:48:48Z")
I like _My Shits Fucked Up_ by **Warren Zevon** (along with the other two mentioned already). _A Most Peculiar Man_ by **Simon and Garfunkel**. The **Queen** songs already mentioned. Thought I would have seen _Seasons in the Sun_ in this thread by now. ---
**Author:** ![Dahnlor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dahnlor/32/533_2.png) [@Dahnlor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dahnlor)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-about-death-and-dying/408515/77 "2007-06-21T04:21:04Z")
“Hammer Smashed Face” by Cannibal Corpse If I quoted any lyrics, this thread would be banned in Germany. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-about-death-and-dying/408515/78 "2007-06-21T14:35:20Z")
\*Days \* by The Kinks ---
**Author:** ![lachesis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@lachesis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lachesis)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-about-death-and-dying/408515/79 "2007-06-21T14:56:16Z")
what, nobody’s gone for the truly macabre before me? _D.O.A._ by **Bloodrock** i’ll second _Dust in the Wind_ ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-about-death-and-dying/408515/80 "2007-06-21T15:11:36Z")
Richard Cory–Simon & Garfunkel O What A Circus & Eva’s Lament from Evita [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-about-death-and-dying/408515.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-about-death-and-dying/408515.md?page=5)