If I Die Young Chords

Gtap to play
Ctap to play
Dtap to play
Emtap to play
Key
G Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Capo
None
Chords
G · C · D · Em

The Band Perry’s poignant ballad about life, love, and mortality. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Gentle Ballad (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a light touch and let the chords ring out for the somber mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
G C
If I die young, bury me in satin
G
Lay me down on a bed of roses
C
Sink me in the river at dawn
G
Send me away with the words of a love song
 

Chorus

 
C
Uh oh, uh oh
G C
Lord, make me a rainbow, I’ll shine down on my mother
G C
She’ll know I’m safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh, and
D G
Life ain’t always what you think it ought to be, no
D C
Ain’t even grey, but she buries her baby
 

Verse 2

 
G C
The sharp knife of a short life, well
G C
I’ve had just enough time
G C
And I’ll be wearing white when I come into your kingdom
G C
I’m as green as the ring on my little cold finger
G C
I’ve never known the lovin’ of a man
D G
But it sure felt nice when he was holding my hand
D C
There’s a boy here in town, says he’ll love me forever
G
Who would have thought forever could be severed by
 

Chorus

 
C
Uh oh, uh oh
G C
Lord, make me a rainbow, I’ll shine down on my mother
G C
She’ll know I’m safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh, and
D G
Life ain’t always what you think it ought to be, no
D C
Ain’t even grey, but she buries her baby
 

Bridge

 
G
The ballad of a dove
C
Go with peace and love
G C
Gather up your tears, keep ’em in your pocket
D
Save them for a time when you’re really gonna need them, oh
 

Verse 3

 
G C
The sharp knife of a short life, well
G C
I’ve had just enough time
G C
So put on your best boys, and I’ll wear my pearls
 

Chorus

 
C
What I never did is done
G C
Lord, make me a rainbow, I’ll shine down on my mother
G C
She’ll know I’m safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh, and
D G
Life ain’t always what you think it ought to be, no
D C
Ain’t even grey, but she buries her baby
 

Practice tip: Practice the G to C and C to D transitions slowly, as they are the most common changes in this song.

Gtap to play
Ctap to play
Dtap to play
Emtap to play
Key
G Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-C-E-A
Chords
G · C · D · Em

The Band Perry’s poignant ballad about life, love, and mortality. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Gentle Ballad (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a light touch and let the chords ring out for the somber mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
G C
If I die young, bury me in satin
G
Lay me down on a bed of roses
C
Sink me in the river at dawn
G
Send me away with the words of a love song
 

Chorus

 
C
Uh oh, uh oh
G C
Lord, make me a rainbow, I’ll shine down on my mother
G C
She’ll know I’m safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh, and
D G
Life ain’t always what you think it ought to be, no
D C
Ain’t even grey, but she buries her baby
 

Verse 2

 
G C
The sharp knife of a short life, well
G C
I’ve had just enough time
G C
And I’ll be wearing white when I come into your kingdom
G C
I’m as green as the ring on my little cold finger
G C
I’ve never known the lovin’ of a man
D G
But it sure felt nice when he was holding my hand
D C
There’s a boy here in town, says he’ll love me forever
G
Who would have thought forever could be severed by
 

Chorus

 
C
Uh oh, uh oh
G C
Lord, make me a rainbow, I’ll shine down on my mother
G C
She’ll know I’m safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh, and
D G
Life ain’t always what you think it ought to be, no
D C
Ain’t even grey, but she buries her baby
 

Bridge

 
G
The ballad of a dove
C
Go with peace and love
G C
Gather up your tears, keep ’em in your pocket
D
Save them for a time when you’re really gonna need them, oh
 

Verse 3

 
G C
The sharp knife of a short life, well
G C
I’ve had just enough time
G C
So put on your best boys, and I’ll wear my pearls
 

Chorus

 
C
What I never did is done
G C
Lord, make me a rainbow, I’ll shine down on my mother
G C
She’ll know I’m safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh, and
D G
Life ain’t always what you think it ought to be, no
D C
Ain’t even grey, but she buries her baby
 

Practice tip: Practice the G to C and C to D transitions slowly, as they are the most common changes in this song.

Gtap to play
Ctap to play
Dtap to play
Emtap to play
Key
G Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Left Hand
Root notes
Chords
G · C · D · Em

The Band Perry’s poignant ballad about life, love, and mortality. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Gentle Ballad (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a light touch and let the chords ring out for the somber mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
G C
If I die young, bury me in satin
G
Lay me down on a bed of roses
C
Sink me in the river at dawn
G
Send me away with the words of a love song
 

Chorus

 
C
Uh oh, uh oh
G C
Lord, make me a rainbow, I’ll shine down on my mother
G C
She’ll know I’m safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh, and
D G
Life ain’t always what you think it ought to be, no
D C
Ain’t even grey, but she buries her baby
 

Verse 2

 
G C
The sharp knife of a short life, well
G C
I’ve had just enough time
G C
And I’ll be wearing white when I come into your kingdom
G C
I’m as green as the ring on my little cold finger
G C
I’ve never known the lovin’ of a man
D G
But it sure felt nice when he was holding my hand
D C
There’s a boy here in town, says he’ll love me forever
G
Who would have thought forever could be severed by
 

Chorus

 
C
Uh oh, uh oh
G C
Lord, make me a rainbow, I’ll shine down on my mother
G C
She’ll know I’m safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh, and
D G
Life ain’t always what you think it ought to be, no
D C
Ain’t even grey, but she buries her baby
 

Bridge

 
G
The ballad of a dove
C
Go with peace and love
G C
Gather up your tears, keep ’em in your pocket
D
Save them for a time when you’re really gonna need them, oh
 

Verse 3

 
G C
The sharp knife of a short life, well
G C
I’ve had just enough time
G C
So put on your best boys, and I’ll wear my pearls
 

Chorus

 
C
What I never did is done
G C
Lord, make me a rainbow, I’ll shine down on my mother
G C
She’ll know I’m safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh, and
D G
Life ain’t always what you think it ought to be, no
D C
Ain’t even grey, but she buries her baby
 

Practice tip: Practice the G to C and C to D transitions slowly, as they are the most common changes in this song.

Gtap to play
Ctap to play
Dtap to play
Emtap to play
Key
G Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
gDGBD (Open G)
Chords
G · C · D · Em

The Band Perry’s poignant ballad about life, love, and mortality. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Gentle Ballad (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a light touch and let the chords ring out for the somber mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
G C
If I die young, bury me in satin
G
Lay me down on a bed of roses
C
Sink me in the river at dawn
G
Send me away with the words of a love song
 

Chorus

 
C
Uh oh, uh oh
G C
Lord, make me a rainbow, I’ll shine down on my mother
G C
She’ll know I’m safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh, and
D G
Life ain’t always what you think it ought to be, no
D C
Ain’t even grey, but she buries her baby
 

Verse 2

 
G C
The sharp knife of a short life, well
G C
I’ve had just enough time
G C
And I’ll be wearing white when I come into your kingdom
G C
I’m as green as the ring on my little cold finger
G C
I’ve never known the lovin’ of a man
D G
But it sure felt nice when he was holding my hand
D C
There’s a boy here in town, says he’ll love me forever
G
Who would have thought forever could be severed by
 

Chorus

 
C
Uh oh, uh oh
G C
Lord, make me a rainbow, I’ll shine down on my mother
G C
She’ll know I’m safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh, and
D G
Life ain’t always what you think it ought to be, no
D C
Ain’t even grey, but she buries her baby
 

Bridge

 
G
The ballad of a dove
C
Go with peace and love
G C
Gather up your tears, keep ’em in your pocket
D
Save them for a time when you’re really gonna need them, oh
 

Verse 3

 
G C
The sharp knife of a short life, well
G C
I’ve had just enough time
G C
So put on your best boys, and I’ll wear my pearls
 

Chorus

 
C
What I never did is done
G C
Lord, make me a rainbow, I’ll shine down on my mother
G C
She’ll know I’m safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh, and
D G
Life ain’t always what you think it ought to be, no
D C
Ain’t even grey, but she buries her baby
 

Practice tip: Practice the G to C and C to D transitions slowly, as they are the most common changes in this song.

Gtap to play
Ctap to play
Dtap to play
Emtap to play
Key
G Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-D-A-E
Chords
G · C · D · Em

The Band Perry’s poignant ballad about life, love, and mortality. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Gentle Ballad (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a light touch and let the chords ring out for the somber mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
G C
If I die young, bury me in satin
G
Lay me down on a bed of roses
C
Sink me in the river at dawn
G
Send me away with the words of a love song
 

Chorus

 
C
Uh oh, uh oh
G C
Lord, make me a rainbow, I’ll shine down on my mother
G C
She’ll know I’m safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh, and
D G
Life ain’t always what you think it ought to be, no
D C
Ain’t even grey, but she buries her baby
 

Verse 2

 
G C
The sharp knife of a short life, well
G C
I’ve had just enough time
G C
And I’ll be wearing white when I come into your kingdom
G C
I’m as green as the ring on my little cold finger
G C
I’ve never known the lovin’ of a man
D G
But it sure felt nice when he was holding my hand
D C
There’s a boy here in town, says he’ll love me forever
G
Who would have thought forever could be severed by
 

Chorus

 
C
Uh oh, uh oh
G C
Lord, make me a rainbow, I’ll shine down on my mother
G C
She’ll know I’m safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh, and
D G
Life ain’t always what you think it ought to be, no
D C
Ain’t even grey, but she buries her baby
 

Bridge

 
G
The ballad of a dove
C
Go with peace and love
G C
Gather up your tears, keep ’em in your pocket
D
Save them for a time when you’re really gonna need them, oh
 

Verse 3

 
G C
The sharp knife of a short life, well
G C
I’ve had just enough time
G C
So put on your best boys, and I’ll wear my pearls
 

Chorus

 
C
What I never did is done
G C
Lord, make me a rainbow, I’ll shine down on my mother
G C
She’ll know I’m safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh, and
D G
Life ain’t always what you think it ought to be, no
D C
Ain’t even grey, but she buries her baby
 

Practice tip: Practice the G to C and C to D transitions slowly, as they are the most common changes in this song.

Gtap to play
Ctap to play
Dtap to play
Emtap to play
Key
G Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Harp Key
C Diatonic
Chords
G · C · D · Em

The Band Perry’s poignant ballad about life, love, and mortality. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.

Gentle Ballad (4/4 Time)
123456

Tip: Use a light touch and let the chords ring out for the somber mood.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
G C
If I die young, bury me in satin
G
Lay me down on a bed of roses
C
Sink me in the river at dawn
G
Send me away with the words of a love song
 

Chorus

 
C
Uh oh, uh oh
G C
Lord, make me a rainbow, I’ll shine down on my mother
G C
She’ll know I’m safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh, and
D G
Life ain’t always what you think it ought to be, no
D C
Ain’t even grey, but she buries her baby
 

Verse 2

 
G C
The sharp knife of a short life, well
G C
I’ve had just enough time
G C
And I’ll be wearing white when I come into your kingdom
G C
I’m as green as the ring on my little cold finger
G C
I’ve never known the lovin’ of a man
D G
But it sure felt nice when he was holding my hand
D C
There’s a boy here in town, says he’ll love me forever
G
Who would have thought forever could be severed by
 

Chorus

 
C
Uh oh, uh oh
G C
Lord, make me a rainbow, I’ll shine down on my mother
G C
She’ll know I’m safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh, and
D G
Life ain’t always what you think it ought to be, no
D C
Ain’t even grey, but she buries her baby
 

Bridge

 
G
The ballad of a dove
C
Go with peace and love
G C
Gather up your tears, keep ’em in your pocket
D
Save them for a time when you’re really gonna need them, oh
 

Verse 3

 
G C
The sharp knife of a short life, well
G C
I’ve had just enough time
G C
So put on your best boys, and I’ll wear my pearls
 

Chorus

 
C
What I never did is done
G C
Lord, make me a rainbow, I’ll shine down on my mother
G C
She’ll know I’m safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh, and
D G
Life ain’t always what you think it ought to be, no
D C
Ain’t even grey, but she buries her baby
 

Practice tip: Practice the G to C and C to D transitions slowly, as they are the most common changes in this song.