# Songs sung by the dead or dying **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 7, 2013, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-sung-by-the-dead-or-dying/646362 "2013-01-07T17:17:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![SeldomSeen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ba0ec/32.png) [@SeldomSeen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeldomSeen)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-sung-by-the-dead-or-dying/646362/101 "2013-01-08T18:46:17Z")
_Nebraska_ is a first-person narrative of Bruce Springsteen’s version of Charles Starkweather who is about to ride the electric chair. _Rio Grande_ by Great Speckled Bird is narrated by the ghost of a western outlaw who haunts the hillside where he was shot by the posse: _On a night when there’s no moon I walk alone, no chance to run Ah, but find me a horse and gun I know I can make it_ Upthread someone mentioned _Lord Randall_… actually quite a few of the Child Ballads seem to have this theme: _The Cruel Mother_ _The Four Maries_ _The Great Silkie of Skule Skerrie_ Come immediately to mind and I’m sure there are others. SS ---
**Author:** ![BrassyPhrase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea666f/32.png) [@BrassyPhrase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrassyPhrase)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-sung-by-the-dead-or-dying/646362/102 "2013-01-08T18:47:11Z")
“A Little Fall of Rain” from _Les Mis_. Eponine dies before the end of the duet. ---
**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:** [January 8, 2013, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-sung-by-the-dead-or-dying/646362/103 "2013-01-08T18:47:32Z")
Loreena McKennitt, “Skellig” _Now take the hourglass And turn it on its head For when the sands are still 'Tis then you’ll find me dead_ ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-sung-by-the-dead-or-dying/646362/104 "2013-01-08T20:17:44Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I thought my parents were the only ones outside of Australia who ever owned a Rolf Harris album. I have a “Greatest Hits” CD. My daughter (17) plays it a lot. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-sung-by-the-dead-or-dying/646362/105 "2013-01-08T21:06:00Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > Hanged. Hanged. “…and they was right!” **Blue Heaven** - The Pogues Yet another hangman song; **Hangman** - Roy Harper ---
**Author:** ![Evin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/59ef9b/32.png) [@Evin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evin)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-sung-by-the-dead-or-dying/646362/106 "2013-01-08T21:35:40Z")
_Daisy_ by HAL 9000 ---
**Author:** ![Boulter\_s\_Canary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Boulter\_s\_Canary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boulter_s_Canary)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-sung-by-the-dead-or-dying/646362/107 "2013-01-08T22:11:37Z")
Ian Dury and the Blockheads - [We Want the Gold](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODVrYsglM94) Accursed be the hand of fate that left us here to die A sorry band of buccaneers we bid you all goodbye At night near Maracaibo when the moon is nearly high Our ghostly pirate voices can still be heard to cry We want the gold… ---
**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:** [January 8, 2013, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-sung-by-the-dead-or-dying/646362/108 "2013-01-08T22:16:17Z")
Tom Paxton’s [Now That I’ve Taken My Life](http://www.lyricsmania.com/now_that_ive_taken_my_life_lyrics_tom_paxton.html) And a little ditty from Jesus Christ Superstar called [Superstar](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvVr2uks0C8). Sung by the dead-but-maybe-risen Jesus ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-sung-by-the-dead-or-dying/646362/109 "2013-01-08T23:08:52Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > Tom Paxton’s [Now That I’ve Taken My Life](http://www.lyricsmania.com/now_that_ive_taken_my_life_lyrics_tom_paxton.html) That title reminded me of French Frith Kaiser & Thompson’s hilarious [“Now That I Am Dead.”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQidiw2JnLo) ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-sung-by-the-dead-or-dying/646362/110 "2013-01-08T23:51:23Z")
_Shotgun Blues_, by the Blues Brothers (among others): The blues is falling Falling down on me like rain. I’m gonna take a shotgun And disconnect my brain. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-sung-by-the-dead-or-dying/646362/111 "2013-01-09T00:05:00Z")
_A Tout le Monde_ by Megadeth, which they later rerecorded as _[A Tout le Monde (Set Me Free)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpR_3OMkvsY)_ is from the perspective of a guy on his deathbed. These are the last words I’ll ever speak And they’ll set me free ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-sung-by-the-dead-or-dying/646362/112 "2013-01-09T00:16:04Z")
The song has already been mentioned, but I can’t resist pointing out that “Black Peter” is not only sung (in character) by someone who is dying, but is also performed by the (Grateful) Dead. Of course, _all_ of their output matches your titular request in the letter, if not in the spirit. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-sung-by-the-dead-or-dying/646362/113 "2013-01-09T01:21:22Z")
The traditional Irish folk song [Carrickfergus:](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrickfergus_%28song%29) > [@](#): > > ``` > And in Kilkenny it is reported there are marble stones as black as ink > With gold and silver I would support her, but I'll sing no more now till I get a drink > I'm drunk today and I'm seldom sober, a handsome rover from town to town > Ah, but I'm sick now, my days are numbered so come all ye young men and lay me down > > ``` ---
**Author:** ![Reepicheep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@Reepicheep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reepicheep)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-sung-by-the-dead-or-dying/646362/114 "2013-01-09T05:06:15Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > And a little ditty from Jesus Christ Superstar called [Superstar](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvVr2uks0C8). Sung by the dead-but-maybe-risen Jesus Actually sung by Judas – who descends on a star/cross and is dressed in white (like the singing angles/dances) so I assume he is dead by this time. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-sung-by-the-dead-or-dying/646362/115 "2013-01-09T07:28:31Z")
This song was mentioned once before and is a favorite of mine: _Don’t Fear the Reaper_, by Blue Öyster Cult. This is the last verse: _Love of two is one Here but now they’re gone Came the last night of sadness And it was clear that she couldn’t go on Then the door was open and the wind appeared The candles blew and then disappeared The curtains flew and then he appeared… saying don’t be afraid Come on baby… and she had no fear And she ran to him… then they started to fly They looked backward and said goodbye… she had become like they are She had taken his hand… she had become like they are Come on baby… don’t fear the reaper_ ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-sung-by-the-dead-or-dying/646362/116 "2013-01-09T08:46:45Z")
> [@edwards\_beard](#): > > Two other possibles if you are including Suicide - > Adams Song - Blink 182 No, this one is a response song to “Come As You Are” by Nirvana, and Adam winds up not killing himself. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-sung-by-the-dead-or-dying/646362/117 "2013-01-09T11:40:14Z")
How could we forget: _Always Look on the Bright Side of Life_ ---
**Author:** ![Scougs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scougs/32/3158_2.png) [@Scougs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scougs)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-sung-by-the-dead-or-dying/646362/118 "2013-01-09T12:46:09Z")
> [@Reepicheep](#): > > Actually sung by Judas – who descends on a star/cross and is dressed in white (like the singing angles/dances) so I assume he is dead by this time. In most stage productions he comes up through the floor dressed in black and red. Make of that what you will. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-sung-by-the-dead-or-dying/646362/119 "2013-01-09T13:02:24Z")
> [@edwards\_beard](#): > > Adams Song - Blink 182 > [@Krokodil](#): > > No, this one is a response song to “Come As You Are” by Nirvana, and Adam winds up not killing himself. Wrong… only one line of the song is a response to “Come as You Are” The song is actually about Mark Hoppus’ lonliness and depression about being single and alone while on tour and then subsequently returning home alone. Mark admits that a teenagers’ suicide note he read about also influenced some of his lyrics but the song is definitely anti-suicide. The lyrics are deliberately ambiguous as to whether the speaker has committed suicide or is just reflecting. ---
**Author:** ![PoorYorick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecccb3/32.png) [@PoorYorick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoorYorick)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-sung-by-the-dead-or-dying/646362/120 "2013-01-09T13:39:36Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > The last couple of rock tunes in the musical _Godspell_ feature the Jesus character singing “I’m dying,” and then, “I’m dead.” > > He gets better. On that note, _Gesthemene_, from _Jesus Christ Superstar_. A powerful one-sided conversation of Jesus with God begging to be spared from the crucifixion. It somehow manages to convey most of the stages of grief, including depression, bargaining, anger, and acceptance. My favorite version is [Ted Neeley’s](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A99gvKl05cU), from the soundtrack of the movie. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-sung-by-the-dead-or-dying/646362.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-sung-by-the-dead-or-dying/646362.md?page=7)