They played the music of tragedy

Some hundred years ago

And as the iceberg crashed and the ship went down

Faithfully they followed

The music played them out

And into the dark, cold water they sank

And in the years after we sang and drank

And saluted those brave musicians

Who were not musicians but heroes

And here I stand today

Knowing exactly why I came and what I want to say

Wondering how anyone can ever replicate

Such brave commitment and inspiration

If I fall today

Don't turn around to bury me and say

"I'll avenge you—"

On the corner of 1st Avenue

You'll find a man who's seen everything

And he won't ask for money

And he won't talk to you

But when he looks you in the eyes

With a deeper understanding of life

Close your own and walk away

That's what they always do

Because no one relates to you

That's what you like to think

But when the truth stares you down

It's a slap that stings

If I fall today

Don't turn around to bury me and say

"I'll avenge you—"

Don't mourn the loss of me

Because we'll all go eventually

Let my spirit serve on

To speak when I am gone

Let the music play me out

Let the truth stare you down

I don't need saving from death

Because even on my last breath

I'll say that life is harder

And don't avenge me

Just try to see

In death I am my loudest

I don't want to just be

Or even just live

I don't want to be alive at all

If no one can hear me

If there's no one to carry on when I fall

If I fall today

Don't turn around to bury me and say

"I'll avenge you—"

Don't mourn the loss of me

Because we'll all go eventually

Let my spirit serve on

To speak when I am gone

Let the music play me out

Let the truth stare you down

I don't need saving from death

Because even on my last breath

I'll say that life is harder

And don't avenge me

Just try to see

In silence I am my loudest

(Fight in our name

Don't let us die in vain

Fight for those who still live

Don't let them fall like we did)

Don't avenge me—

(Fight in our name

Don't let us die in vain

Fight for those who still live

Don't let them fall like we did)

Just try to see—

(Fight in our name

Don't let us die in vain

Fight for those who still live

Don't let them fall like we did)

You don't need to speak to be heard

(Fight in our name

Don't let us die in vain

Fight for those who still live

Don't let them fall like we did

And though we all are gone

Our spirits will…)

Carry on—