Never Die Young

James Taylor · Never Die Young [1988]

We were ring-around-the-rosy children

They were circles around the sun

Never give up, never slow down

Never grow old, never ever die young



Synchronized with the rising moon

Even with the evening star

They were true love written in stone

They were never alone, they were never that far apart



And we who couldn't bear to believe they might make it

We got to close our eyes

Cut up our losses into doable doses

Ration our tears and sighs



You could see them on the street on a Saturday night

Everyone used to run them down

They're a little too sweet, they're a little too tight

They're not enough tough for this tough town



We couldn't touch them with a ten-foot pole

Oh No, it didn't seem to rattle at all

They were fused together body and soul

That much more with their backs up against the wall



Oh, hold them up, hold them up

Never do let them fall

Prey to the dust and the rust and the ruin

That names us and claims us and shames us all



I guess it had to happen someday soon

There wasn't nothing to hold them down

They would rise from among us like a big balloon

Take the sky, and forsake the ground



Oh, yes, other hearts were broken

And I know other dreams ran dry

But our golden ones sail on and on

To another land beneath another sky

oh

Let other hearts be broken

Let other dreams run dry

Just let us own golden one sail and on

To another land beneath another sky



Beneath another sky



Hold them on

Never Die Young

James Taylor's 1988 single 'Never Die Young' stands as a poignant reflection on the passage of time and the resilience of the human spirit. Recorded for her album of the same name, the track exemplifies Taylor's signature blend of acoustic intimacy and lyrical depth, characteristic of her mature period. The song's melodic structure and reflective tone invite listeners to contemplate life's fleeting nature, a theme that resonates throughout her extensive discography. Released during a time when Taylor continued to explore personal and philosophical subjects, the recording maintains her reputation for crafting emotionally resonant music that bridges folk traditions with contemporary sensibilities. It remains a staple in her catalog, often cited for its ability to evoke quiet contemplation without relying on overt drama.