Country, Pop

If I Die Young Chords

The Band Perry Beginner Key of G 4 Chords 3 min read

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Key

G Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

G · C · D · Em

If I Die Young Chords – Guitar

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

Gentle Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

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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

If I Die Young Chords – Ukulele

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

If I Die Young Chords – Piano

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

If I Die Young Chords – Banjo

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

If I Die Young Chords – Mandolin

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

If I Die Young Chords – Harmonica

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.