C'est la Mort

The Civil Wars · Barton Hollow [2011]

Swan dive down eleven stories high

Hold your breath until you see the light

You can sink to the bottom of the sea

Just don't go without me



Go with us where no one can be found

Drink so long and deep until you drown

Say your goodbyes but darling if you please

Don't go without me



C'est la vie

C'est la mort

You and me

Forevermore



Let's walk down the road that has no end

Steal away where only angels tread

Heaven or hell or somewhere in between

Cross your heart to take me when you leave

Don't go

Please don't go

Don't go without me

C'est la Mort

Delivered by The Civil Wars on their 2011 album Barton Hollow, 'C'est la Mort' stands as a haunting centerpiece of their folk-country sound. The track features the duo's signature interplay between Julee and Joy, blending intricate vocal harmonies with a brooding, acoustic-driven arrangement that captures the tension of their narrative. Released during the height of their critical acclaim, the song exemplifies the band's ability to weave storytelling into traditional Americana structures. Its haunting melody and raw emotional delivery have cemented it as a defining recording in their discography, resonating deeply within the folk revival movement of the early 2010s.