When the angels came down
Did they give you a choice?
Would they have let you stay where you were?
Not to live here in pain
Should not bring you shame
And the light is so hard to deter

Well did the gates of heaven
Look just as you thought?
Did Sister Mary describe them quite well?
Years of Catholic school were all good to you
Because you were the angel who fell

And I am the one who will never die young
I am a martyr and I cannot hide
But I'm not a winner
I am just brilliantly bitter
I'm sealed by my skin
But broken inside

Angels are fragile
And devils are hot
And life is a masquerade
Colors will blend
And hearts will all mend
Just tell me you were never afraid

'Cause I am the one who will never die young
I am a martyr and I cannot hide
But I'm not a winner
I am just brilliantly bitter
I'm sealed by my skin
But broken inside

And there are babies laughing
And children running
And they say "read me a book, oh sing me a song,"
And I was the one who I felt so, so sorry for
But you are the one who is gone

So will you save me a seat
If I make it that far?
Will you even know
That I am the one?
I will be old
For the angels have told me
That I will never die young

'Cause I am the one who will never die young
I am a martyr and I cannot hide
But I'm not a winner
I am just brilliantly bitter
I'm sealed by my skin
But broken inside
And I will be old
For the angels have told me
That I will never die young
I'll never die young


Lyrics submitted by delial

Never Die Young song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

2 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    General Comment

    Oh my god- this song is fucking amazing. I can think of no reasons whatsoever that Lori isnt huge. There lyrics are so powerful; in my opinion the song is about someone who commited suicide which is extremely personal to me so this song means a whole hell of a lot

    paper_hearts13on February 27, 2007   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation

    The song is about her mother, who died of cancer when she was a young child. In that context, the lyrics are heartwrenching, but the themes of dying before one's time and the despair of those left behind are universal. There are many parallels to suicide in the lyric, such as preparing for death and trying to avoid living in pain, be it physical or emotional, and this song always feels like me having a conversation with my sister, who committed suicide as a young adult - it always cuts right to my emotional core.

    alpineincon July 25, 2010   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him. There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Album art
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example: "'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Album art
Page
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Album art
Midnight
Ed Sheeran
“Midnight” is a song about finding a love that is so true that it provides a calming feeling through every storm. Ed Sheeran reflects on his good fortunes in landing someone with such peace and support and speaks of not fearing the dark days because he knows they’ll all end in the safety nets of her arms. “Well, good morning there / What a way to start the day / With everything laid bare,” Ed Sheeran sings in the first verse, enthusiastic to be waking up beside his woman. He apologizes for missing her calls in the second verse and promises to return them because for him, speaking to her is the most important thing. “Well, I get lost inside my head / In this chaos, you’re my calm / And I will find my feet again / ‘Cause еven the worst days of my life will always еnd / At midnight in your arms,” sings Ed Sheeran in the chorus, revelling in his good luck.