Forever Young – Bob Dylan
May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay
Forever young
Forever young
Forever young
May you stay
Forever young
May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
And may you stay
Forever young
Forever young
Forever young
May you stay
Forever young
May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
May your song always be sung
And may you stay
Forever young
Forever young
Forever young
May you stay
Forever young
Life is brief and unpredictable. However, sometimes, some people see it coming. Whether it’s a terminal illness or just some sixth sense coming from somewhere, it’s a demonstrable fact that sometimes, when death comes for us, some people can anticipate it. And when something like that happens, we generally would like to pass on what we know to our loved ones who will live on after us in the shortest time possible and as concise as possible as well. This is what the legend Bob Dylan’s Forever Young wants to impart to us in relation to the subject of death and the brevity of life. The dreary tune mixed with Bob’s epic raspy singing voice truly captivates the soul and may even send you back to a much simpler time.
The speaker in the song imparts some life advice or you may say it’s more of the speaker wishing somebody well, presumably somebody younger if not at least someone the speaker cares about. This classic piece sums up the cycle of life, the passing on of the torch of an elder to a younger person. In fact, it doesn’t even have to be a younger person but just somebody you care for enough to wish well.
The song was written as a lullaby for Dylan’s son, Jesse and the first lines even reference the Bible. He was giving good blessings to his child and it’s all very heart-warming. The song was even recited in memory as a celebration for Muhammad Ali’s win for the heavyweight belt for the third straight time. The song truly encompasses people and circumstance, it always brings a tear, especially for the sentimental types.
But if you are looking for a cremation service and use this as a funeral song, this is where the versatility of this song truly comes very much alive. You can use this song for a loved one who’s passed away and perhaps has children or other loved ones who will surely be having a rough time now that their parent or mentor has passed away.
