And When I Die
Peter, Paul and Mary
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And when I die, and when I'm dead, dead and gone, There'll be one child born and a world to carry on, There'll be one child born to carry on. I'm not scared of dyin' and I don't really care If it's peace you find in dyin', well, then let the time be near; If it's peace you find in dying, when dyin' time is here, Just bundle up my coffin, cause it's cold way down there. And when I die, and when I'm dead, dead and gone, There'll be one child born and a world to carry on, There'll be one child born to carry on. My troubles are many, they're as deep as a well, I can swear there ain't no heaven, but I pray there ain't no hell. Swear there ain't no heaven, pray there ain't no hell, But I'll never know by livin', only my dyin' will tell Only my dyin' will tell. And when I die, and when I'm dead, dead and gone, There'll be one child born and a world to carry on, There'll be one child born to carry on. Give me my freedom, for as long as I be, All I ask of livin' is to have no chains on me. All I ask I of livin' is to have no chains on me, And all I ask of dyin' is to go naturally I only want to go naturally. And when I die, and when I'm gone, There'll be one child born and a world to carry on, There'll be one child born to carry on. Comin' as I go, and a world to carry on. There'll be one child born to carry on.
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Written by: LAURA NYRO
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
17 facts about this song
Ownership - Blood Sweat & Tears Cover"And When I Die" is a song that was originally written and recorded by the American songstress Laura Nyro, but it is perhaps best known as a version by the band Blood, Sweat & Tears.
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Laura Nyro Original VersionLaura Nyro actually wrote this song when she was only 17 years old.
- Nyro was a prolific songwriter who penned many hit songs. "And When I Die" is credited as one of her signature songs.
- The song was released on her 1967 debut album "More Than a New Discovery".
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Blood, Sweat & Tears VersionWhen "Blood, Sweat & Tears" covered "And When I Die" it became a major hit for the band and was included in their self-titled second album in 1968.
- On the band's version, it is arranged in a jazz-rock style, that was unique and distinctive at the time.
- The Blood, Sweat & Tears version of "And When I Die" peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1969.
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Peter, Paul and Mary VersionThe folk trio, Peter, Paul, and Mary, also did a cover of "And When I Die" in 1967.
- Their version was included on the album "Album 1700".
- Peter, Paul, and Mary were known for their harmonious performances, and their version of "And When I Die" is no exception.
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Notable Lyrics and ThemeThe song strangely explores concepts of mortality and the afterlife, with lyrics like, "And when I die, and when I'm gone, There'll be one child born and a world to carry on."
- Despite its mortality theme, the song has an upbeat tempo and is seen as accepting and positive towards the idea of death.
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Recognition & Legacy"And When I Die" has been recognized as a classic hit of the late '60s, immortalized by its play on classic rock radio stations.
- It also has positively impacted the careers of Laura Nyro, Blood, Sweat & Tears, and Peter, Paul, and Mary, adding much-needed credibility and commercial success to their discographies.
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Other Covers"And When I Die" has been covered by several other artists including The Heavy and Billy Childs.
- The song's universal message and catchy melody have made it a popular choice for interpretations across different genres and styles.
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Composer of the Song - Laura Nyro• "And When I Die" was written by Laura Nyro when she was just a teenager.
• Laura Nyro was an American songwriter, singer, and pianist. She achieved considerable critical acclaim but had limited commercial success.
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Initial Release - Peter, Paul and Mary• The first recorded version of "And When I Die" was by Peter, Paul and Mary in 1966.
• "And When I Die" was included in their album named "The Peter, Paul and Mary Album."
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Popular Version - Blood, Sweat & Tears• The song is best known for the version by 'Blood, Sweat & Tears' released in 1969.
• Blood, Sweat & Tears' version of the song reached #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.
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Album & Grammy - Blood, Sweat & Tears• The song was featured on the group's self-titled album "Blood, Sweat & Tears," which won a Grammy award for Album of the Year in 1970.
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Lyrics Meaning• Despite its somewhat somber title, "And When I Die" is an affirmation of life and living, offering a positive view of death as simply a part of life's cycle. The song carries a message of not fearing death but embracing it as a stage in existence.
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Song Influence• "And When I Die" has been featured in various popular culture forums. These include: the film "The Big Chill", TV shows like "The Wonder Years" and a 2020 Super Bowl commercial for NFL.
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Cover Versions• Besides Blood, Sweat & Tears and Peter, Paul and Mary, the song has also been covered by artists like Joe 90, The Heavy, and Billy Childs.
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Posthumous Release - Laura Nyro• Laura Nyro's own version of "And When I Die" was posthumously released on her album "Angel in the Dark" in 2005, almost ten years after her death.
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Legacy• "And When I Die" has remained a popular song over decades, and is considered a classic pop-rock anthem. It is especially praised for its optimistic take on mortality and life's ephemeral nature.
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Laura Nyro's Contribution• Though Laura Nyro herself didn't gain mass commercial acclaim, her songs like "And When I Die" have been covered and popularized by various artists, making her a significant figure in the world of pop and rock music.
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Citation
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"And When I Die Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/26287844/Peter%2C+Paul+and+Mary/And+When+I+Die>.
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