"We could fly up where the atmosphere
Is thin and fresh, and the vision's clear,"
Before I Go
A life well lived, a love well shared, and a few dreams still waiting.
Running time: 5 minutes 38 seconds
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Before I lay and face my death
Before I take my final breath
There's many things that I would like to do.
Nothing that would break my back,
Or break my arm along the way,
As long as I could do them all with you.
[Chorus]
Before I go, before I say goodbye,
Let's watch another sunset paint the sky.
Hand in hand, just you and me,
Living life the way it ought to be.
When my journey here is through,
My greatest blessing was loving you.
Before I go.
[Verse 2]
We could walk barefooted in the sand,
Kicking water, hand in hand,
Watching sunsets fill the evening sky.
We could stand together on a hill,
Looking at what is God's will,
Watching as we let the world go by.
[Verse 3]
Sail a boat and catch the breeze,
Dive into the deepest seas,
And wonder at the life that lives beneath.
Then sail on to a distant shore,
Where we have never been before,
Perhaps to see the coral on a reef.
[Verse 4]
We could fly up where the atmosphere
Is thin and fresh, and the vision's clear,
And look down on the world below.
While standing at the highest heights,
Amazed at all that's in our sights,
Then share our joy with the loved ones that we know.
[Chorus]
Before I go, before I say goodbye,
Let's watch another sunset paint the sky.
Hand in hand, just you and me,
Living life the way it ought to be.
When my journey here is through,
My greatest blessing was loving you.
Before I go.
[Bridge]
To see my children find success,
With good health and happiness,
Would be a wish that every parent shares.
I've watched them struggle, watched them grow,
Tried to help them with the things I know,
And when I leave, they'll know I always cared.
And then I'll leave my legacy,
And hopefully some memories,
Before I say my final, last goodbye.
I hope my loved ones never mourn,
But rejoice my life, for I was born
To make them smile and not to make them cry.
[Final Chorus]
Before I go, don't cry for me,
Remember all we've shared together.
Keep the memories close at hand,
Hold them like grains of sand.
Smile whenever you think of me,
That's exactly how I'd want it to be.
Before I go.
[Outro]
So when I've finally had enough,
When life has finally proved too tough,
I won't be sad, for I've done all I can.
I hope you keep good memories,
And smile whenever you think of me,
Because I'll leave a proud and happy man.
Before I go...
Behind the Song
Before I Go is a reflection on the things that matter most when we consider the time we have left. Rather than dwelling on death, the song looks towards all the experiences still waiting to be shared — walking barefoot on a beach, watching a sunset, travelling to distant places and simply seeing the world alongside someone you love.
As the song unfolds, those dreams give way to something deeper: family, memories and the legacy we leave behind. At its heart, Before I Go isn't really about saying goodbye. It's about reaching the end of a life knowing you loved, were loved, and had plenty to smile about along the way.
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The Original Poem
Before I Go
Before I lay and face my death
Before I take my final breath
There’s many things that I would like to do
Nothing that would cause me harm
Would break my back nor break my arm
As long as I could do them all with you
We could walk bare footed in the sand
Kicking water, hand in hand
Watch the sunset and the evening sky
We could stand together on a hill
Looking at what is Gods will
Watching as we let the World go by
Sail a boat and catch the breeze
Dive into the deepest seas
And wonder at the life that lives beneath
Then sail on to a distant shore
Where we have never been before
Perhaps to see the coral on a reef
We could fly up where the atmosphere
Is thin and fresh and the vision's clear
And look down on the World below
While being at the highest heights
Amazed at what’s within our sights
Then share our joy with the loved ones that we know
To see my children find success
With good health and extreme happiness
Would be a wish that every parent shares
I’ve watched them struggle, watched them grow
Tried to help them with the things I know
And when I leave I’ll show them I still care
And then I’ll leave my legacy
And hopefully some memories
Before I say my final, last goodbye
I hope my loved ones never mourn
But rejoice my life for I was born
To make them smile and not to make them cry
So when I’ve finally had enough
When life has finally proved too tough
I won’t be sad because I’ve done all I can
I hope you keep good memories
And smile whenever you think of me
Because I’ll leave as a proud and very happy man