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If I ever leave this world alive
I`ll thank you for the things you did in my life
If I ever leave this world alive
I`ll come back down and sit beside your feet tonight
Where ever I am you`ll always be
More than just a memory
If I ever leave this world alive
If I ever leave this world alive
I`ll take on all the sadness
That I left behind
If I ever leave this world alive
The madness that you feel will soon subside
So in a word don`t shed a tear
I`ll be here when it all gets weird
If I ever leave this world; alive
So when in doubt just call my name
Just before you go insane
If I ever leave this world
Hey I may never leave this world
But if I ever leave this world alive
She says I`m okay; I`m all right,
Though you have gone from my life
You said that it would
Now everything should be alright
She says I`m okay; I`m all right,
Though you have gone from my life
You said that it would
Now everything should; be alright
Yeah should be alright
I`ll thank you for the things you did in my life
If I ever leave this world alive
I`ll come back down and sit beside your feet tonight
Where ever I am you`ll always be
More than just a memory
If I ever leave this world alive
If I ever leave this world alive
I`ll take on all the sadness
That I left behind
If I ever leave this world alive
The madness that you feel will soon subside
So in a word don`t shed a tear
I`ll be here when it all gets weird
If I ever leave this world; alive
So when in doubt just call my name
Just before you go insane
If I ever leave this world
Hey I may never leave this world
But if I ever leave this world alive
She says I`m okay; I`m all right,
Though you have gone from my life
You said that it would
Now everything should be alright
She says I`m okay; I`m all right,
Though you have gone from my life
You said that it would
Now everything should; be alright
Yeah should be alright
Lyrics submitted by black_cow_of_death, edited by lyearley
Track duration: 03:22
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What makes him such a wonderful lyricist (not only in this song, but just about every single song of theirs) is that he leaves things open for interpretation. Such depth come from a person's soul. The band is so wonderful because they believe in their music and just let every note pour out from inside of them.
I always interpret this song as promise. "You may not see me, but I am here. When you can't take any more, just give me all of your anger, stress and sadness. I'll make it better. Even if you can't see me, tell me, and I'll fix it."
It's the most beautiful love song. It isn't just based on romantic feelings, but on those relationships that you will carry with you forever (friends and family as well as significant other).
This song makes me want to cry as well as makes me feel so happy inside, which transcends with the feelings that come along with loosing someone. You are so sad they are gone, and yet you know they would want you to be happy. So you think of all the good times, and toss the bad away. Flogging Molly captures that compilations of feelings in this song. At least for me.
Hell of a song any way you look at it!
I believe "leaving the world" refers to physical death, passing from this mortal life to another. While the "alive" part refers to spiritual life. Most Christian theologians would agree that to be alive in Christ means to match your thoughts and actions to those modeled by the Savior and thus receiving his life and light into your life guaranteeing your salvation. Thus "if I ever leave this world alive" means "if I should die in a state of spiritual purity having atoned for my sins and performed the Lord's work here on Earth."
I think the first verse is addressed to Christ himself expressing the singer's gratitude and love for the Savior. After shuffing off this mortal coil the singer will sit beside the Savior's feet "like a little child" and receive further teaching. "Wherever I am" (i.e. this world or the next) "you will always be more than just a memory" means that Jesus will always be close to the singer's heart and countenance.
The following verses, on the other hand, I feel are directed toward a loved one being left behind. I always think of my wife, but it could just as easily be a girlfriend, child, or other loved one. "I'll take on the sadness that I left behind" to me ties into the first verse indicating repentance for his sins, making amends for the pain he has caused whether intentional or not.
I believe the next part of that verse is intended to comfort the loved one left behind. To someone who has just lost a spouse or other loved one life may seem chaotic, mad and weird. In this section the singer is saying that he will watch over her, comfort, and protect her. This type of spiritual freedom on the other side can only be expected if the deceased died in a virtuous state which is why the "If I ever..." line needs be repeated.
During the bridge the singer acknowledges that he may not be able to achieve his goal, "Hey I may never, but if I ever..." He knows that "enduring to the end" is difficult and he may not be worthy. However, he is professing his eternal love and desire to tread a virtuous path so that he will be able to give her the love and comfort she deserves after he is gone.
Finally, we get to the last part of the song where he quotes the woman left behind. She expresses her trust in the man she loves. In the previous verse and bridge he told her that he would be a good man and watch over her when he is gone. Now, she is saying that she believes him and is comforted by that. She will be able to go on knowing that he is waiting for her on the other side.
I know not everyone will agree with this interpretation and I'm okay with that. The song is deeply personal and comforting to me. I've enjoyed reading the stories of others who were/are comforted. I want to thank the band for recording this and making it available to the rest of us.
Websites like this are supposed to be debates on song meanings and different interpretations to each and every person of the lyrics in the song.
On one of the most lyrically relevant and moving songs in which the artist is clearly going over either a personified or personal scenario in a way that to either miss someone who has left someones life, by moving on or dying and puting a consolation on trying to explain that no matter what, when they're gone they do not want any sort of dwelling or grieving, to just remember the good times and not to feel hurt.
However, most of this page of comments surrounds some clown who cant appreciate that different kinds of people like different kinds of music. By claiming that posers should keep away? or whatever. When it comes down to it, the only person who shouldnt be listening to a song is the person calling out stupidity like that. If they cant listen to a song without arguing who should or shouldnt listen to it also then they shouldnt listen to music at all, since they clearly dont have a clue.
Anyway, beautiful song, I've been listening to Flogging Molly for years, and recently my nephew passed away and this song was the first thing i got playing, it's just a song that personally i feel gets me through a hard time.
That's what I get out of it...
When King says "If I ever leave this world alive," he's not talking about dying. The word "world" doesn't necessarily mean the earth. He's instead talking about his immediate world, his neighborhood, city, what have you. It's the world that contains the person he is singing the song to, be it his mother or lover. It's hard for me to imagine it being a man he's singing to as a woman sings the "I'm okay" part.
He's saying that no matter where he goes in his travels, no matter where his life takes him, he'll always be protecting the woman. He's reassuring her. He might never leave her side, but he just wants to let her know that she'll always be with him and that he'll always be with her, at least in spirit. "Whever I am you'll always be more than just a memory."