The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
When you're sad and when you're lonely, and you haven't got a friend
Just remember that death is not the end
And all that you've held sacred, falls down and does not mend
Just remember that death is not the end
Not the end, not the end
Just remember that death is not the end
When you're standing on the crossroads that you cannot comprehend
Just remember that death is not the end
And all your dreams have vanished and you don't know what's up the bend
Just remember that death is not the end
Not the end, not the end
Just remember that death is not the end
When the storm clouds gather 'round you, and heavy rains descend
Just remember that death is not the end
And there's no one there to comfort you, with a helpin' hand to lend
Just remember that death is not the end
Not the end, not the end
Just remember that death is not the end
Oh, the tree of life is growing
Where the spirit never dies
And the bright light of salvation shines
In dark and empty skies
When the cities are on fire with the burning flesh of men
Just remember that death is not the end
And you search in vain to find just one law-abiding citizen
Just remember that death is not the end
Not the end, not the end
Just remember that death is not the end
Not the end, not the end
Just remember that death is not the end
Just remember that death is not the end
And all that you've held sacred, falls down and does not mend
Just remember that death is not the end
Not the end, not the end
Just remember that death is not the end
When you're standing on the crossroads that you cannot comprehend
Just remember that death is not the end
And all your dreams have vanished and you don't know what's up the bend
Just remember that death is not the end
Not the end, not the end
Just remember that death is not the end
When the storm clouds gather 'round you, and heavy rains descend
Just remember that death is not the end
And there's no one there to comfort you, with a helpin' hand to lend
Just remember that death is not the end
Not the end, not the end
Just remember that death is not the end
Oh, the tree of life is growing
Where the spirit never dies
And the bright light of salvation shines
In dark and empty skies
When the cities are on fire with the burning flesh of men
Just remember that death is not the end
And you search in vain to find just one law-abiding citizen
Just remember that death is not the end
Not the end, not the end
Just remember that death is not the end
Not the end, not the end
Just remember that death is not the end
Lyrics submitted by Philadelphia Eagles, edited by Mellow_Harsher
Death Is Not The End Lyrics as written by Bob Dylan
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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It means that although you may suffer pain, loneliness, confusion, etc., this dark spell is only temporary. You will see the light, and experience eternal life, after death, because Death Is Not The End.
heaven. glory. absolute reality!
To me this song is irrefutable evidence that god exists, and that means a lot from a devoted atheist.
@Sianara It really seems like Bob Dylan has known from early on about a lot of things that most of us don't.
Quite boring musically, I prefer Nick Cave's version to this one IMHO. You shouldn't listen to this song if you're suicidal.
i like nic cave too.
i like nic cave too.
@eirikws Talk about missing the point of the song entirely!
well, even if you were suicidal, this song wuold not help you any with your decision, as he sings 'death is not the end' - i.e. whatever you want to escape from, doesn't necessarily stop. to me it's rather a hopeful song: refers to lost hopes and illusions that aren't lost forever. and i love the line: 'And you search in vain to find Just one law abiding citizen Just remember that death is not the end.' pretty cynical ;-)
great song, but i prefer the nick cave version because it sounds more like a warning that it wont be the end of your problems. Still seems like a song of hope though imo
I've been listening to a fantastic Polish version of this song that was posted on youtube without understanding all of the lyrics, but I had the feeling it was saying that even if everything's going wrong with your life and world now, don't worry, things will be better after you die.
And now that I see all the lyrics here in front of me, there's something that really cracks me up about the way it goes from this in the first verse:
When you're sad and when you're lonely, and you haven't got a friend Just remember that death is not the end
To this in the last one:
When the cities are on fire with the burning flesh of men Just remember that death is not the end.
:)
It’s a Christian song. It reflects the hope Christianity offers of an afterlife and reflects the Christian worldview that we live this life in a fallen world beset by fear, anxiety, and pain (even if we also experience love and joy at times). But this world is neither our home nor our destiny. Death is the end in the minds of non-believers. The Christian message is that Christ conquered death and made it irrelevant.