Poignant songs about death

These three songs are, imo, very moving and, dare I say, "haunting". Not a bit sappy or melodramatic.
(Lyrics included!)

'The Dead They Don't Come Back' by Kevin Morby
A very philosophical song for someone so young to have written.



On my way to work, I noticed that, I had passed a cemetry. Oh Lord I held my breath.
The dead they dont come back. The dead they dont come back.

And on my way to school, I passed that old graveyard. Life is mighty lonely, and life is mighty hard.
The dead they don't wake up. The dead they don't wake up.They don't wake up.
Oh I am on a ride. Measured in distance, and time.

I can see your teardrops, behind that black, black veil. It made me hope for heaven, and it made me scared for hell.
The dead they always sleep. The dead they always sleep.

And from time to time, I think about my grave... When I'm gonna have one, and what's it gonna say?
It feels good to rest. It's been a long, long day. It's been a long, it's been a long, it's been a long, long day.

Oh I, am on a ride. Measured in distance, and time. And as sure as I was born, I will die.

And on my way back home, I stopped at your tombstone. I said a prayer for you. I was tired and alone.
I said "Lord, I miss my friend, who's underneath my feet. May his soul, oh may his soul, oh may his soul rest in peace."


'Sad But True' by Transplants
A tribute to friends who died too young. Listen with some good headphones. I promise you'll not be disappointed.



When the fog comes through the Golden Gate, and the moon shines on the bay...
And everything has changed, now that you have gone away.
Things are getting darker, and it's harder for me to see...
And now you're an angel, lookin over me.

Back up, back up. Let's f'n go.
Beat up, keyed up. That's rock & roll.
Back up, back up. Its what you get
Beat up, keyed up. This rocky road

Sad but true, but the list is too long.
If I had to name you all they wouldnt fit in this song.
This magnums got me thinkin and it's makin me pissed.
Your lives were took too early, you will always be missed.
All the mothers who cry, and the fathers who mourn....
For every life that's taken, there's another child born.
That doesn't make it better, and it doesn't make it right.
Im just thankful every day, that you came in my life.

Back up, back up. Let's f'n go.
Beat up, keyed up. That's rock & roll.
Back up, back up. Its what you get
Beat up, keyed up. This rocky road

In a dream, we take a trip....Down Shattuck to Durant.
Up the hill, to the steps. Sproul Plaza, now Telegraph.
You pass Channing, you blast Derby. You go to Ashby, down to Adeleine.
Take MLK to 54th, and go down To Genoa, yeah...then follow the Bart tracks...
to Harmon Street... ohhh, Harmon Street, Harmon Street, Harmon Street. Yeah... It's reoccurring, it's like a dream.
I live a thousand times, yeah..... And it's always like the very first time.

As time goes on, I can never forget, all the times we had, memories I protect.
Seems like yesterday, when I last saw your face.
You're no longer here, and no one can replace...all the times we had, we'll make it happen again!
Ill hold you in my heart, in my till heart, till the end!
If I could make a change, it'd be me not you. So hard to sit and cope, so sad, but true.

Back up, back up. Let's f'n go.
Beat up, keyed up. That's rock & roll.
Back up, back up. Its what you get
Beat up, keyed up. This rocky road.



'Look On Down From The Bridge' by Mazzy Star
A song about the loss of a loved one.
"I'm gone. Just gone. I'm waiting for you."


Look on down from the bridge, there’s still fountains down there.
Look on down from the bridge, it’s still raining up here.

Everybody seems so far away from me. Everybody just wants to be free.
Look away from the sky... it’s no different when you’re leaving home.

I can’t be the same thing to you now. I’m just gone. Just gone.
How could I say goodbye? How could I say goodbye? Goodbye.

Maybe I’ll just place my hands over you, and close my eyes real tight.
There’s a light in your eyes, and you know, yeah you know.
Look on down from the bridge.
I’m still waiting for you.

Nick Cave and Kylie Minogue - Death is not the End.

A friend of mine recently passed from genetic arthritis, and I'm not quite done grieving with a drink, so thanks for the thread.

a reply to: ColeYounger

Everything Dies by Type O Negative

a reply to: halfoldman

Thanks for posting. I like Nick Cave.
People Ain't No Good

a reply to: ColeYounger



I knew you some years before
Deep in prayer under bough
Futile sighs in vital skin
Your flesh caressed by night

Yet change came quickly
A bruise in the air, it staggered within
Sweet sickly rot
Black wound infection

King, slave, child
Your fates are united
An unending row to the grave
A single dance now, all eyes are shut
Blind to the earthly

Begging now to forget who I am
Emperor, your sword is useless
Shattered crowns so swiftly
Fragile as the scythe

Aching bones cling to swollen limbs
Despair floods all senses
The world is dying around me

Gaping in mirth, his old eyes spoke
Where you are now - I once was
And what I am now - you soon will be
Nothingness awaits you

Begging now to regain what I've lost
The tale of life is but a picture
A flash in an abyss, a dream in the void

See that there is no meaning,
Understand eternal death
You long now to try what you once feared
But the time is gone and dust will be your legacy

originally posted by: OrphanApology
a reply to: ColeYounger

Johnny Cash - Hurt is I think more of a confession and about regret. Now if you want death and return...


Cheers - Dave

www.youtube.com...

a reply to: bobs_uruncle

I guess everyone hears(and sees music differently).

To me the song was that of a dying man with life behind him. Your life can be dead even though you are still breathing. Like speaking to a couple of old people in nursing homes who have no day in the future to look forward to. Definitely a song about death to me.

a reply to: OrphanApology

Every time I hear Casimir Pulaski Day, it makes me tear up. It's such a quiet little tiny song, but so powerful.

Another song about death that kind of gives me the creeps:

O Death by Ralph Stanley

www.youtube.com...

a reply to: jtrenthacker

You're a syncroniciter. I'm watching "O Brother Where Art Thou" !

a reply to: ColeYounger

I know.

I'm hiding behind your couch.

www.youtube.com...

A slightly different take on a poignant song about death..spoilers in this clip if you have never read the books..

This is mine

Manchester band James.The song is about the lead singer Tim Booth's mother dying.

Sorry guys I have to go old-school on you. But this is one of the most poetic songs about death I've ever heard.

So many choice songs about death to choose from. My top 3 would be.

1. So many great versions of this song, Billi Holiday, Nina Simone, Jeff Buckley etc But my favourite version is this one. Strange Fruit, never a more haunting subject matter.


2. The song Friend of Ours by Elbow about a mate they lost. Heart breaking.


3. And this one from the movie 'Fly Away Home' when the girls parents had died. My god I was a blubering mess and want it played at my own funeral one day. So beautiful and sad, that I can only smile when I think of my missing loved ones. 10,000 Miles, Mary Chaplin Carter.

originally posted by: OrphanApology
a reply to: bobs_uruncle

I guess everyone hears(and sees music differently).

To me the song was that of a dying man with life behind him. Your life can be dead even though you are still breathing. Like speaking to a couple of old people in nursing homes who have no day in the future to look forward to. Definitely a song about death to me.

I do agree as the interpretation of music is both an intimate and subjective thing.

Cheers - Dave