Sufjan Stevens, 'Fourth Of July' (Official Audio)

From the album CARRIE & LOWELL
Available on Asthmatic Kitty Records

LYRICS:
The evil it spread like a fever ahead
It was night when you died, my firefly
What could I have said to raise you from the dead?
Oh could I be the sky on the fourth of July?

“Well you do enough talk
My little hawk, why do you cry?
Tell me what did you learn from the Tillamook burn?
Or the Fourth of July?
We’re all gonna die.”

Sitting at the bed with the halo at your head
Was it all a disguise, like Junior High
Where everything was fiction, future, and prediction
Now where am I? My fading supply

“Did you get enough love, my little dove
Why do you cry?
And I’m sorry I left, but it was for the best
Though it never felt right
My little Versailles.”

The hospital asked should the body be cast
Before I say goodbye, my star in the sky
Such a funny thought to wrap you up in cloth
Do you find it all right, my dragonfly?

“Shall we look at the moon, my little loon
Why do you cry?
Make the most of your life, while it is rife
While it is light

Well you do enough talk
My little hawk, why do you cry?
Tell me what did you learn from the Tillamook burn?
Or the Fourth of July?
We’re all gonna die.”

[VisionDuSeuil]

"Did you get enough love, my little dove. Why do you cry?" 
This hurts, indeed. 

[ewanoxborrow]

“I’m sorry I left, but it was for the best, though it never felt right”

I’m sobbing

[Kylee-zcof]

"Did you get enough love, my little dove. Why do you cry?"

That hit me so hard

[tomm]

imagining a mother on her deathbed asking her son "did you get enough love, my little dove?" perfectly encapsulates human compassion

[vividsts]

The author of this song wrote this song in grief of his mother, who died of cancer. The lines were directly taken from the conversation he had with her before passing.

[rachelhawkins]

My Son (My Little HAWK) committed suicide last year in May. I loved this song before, but now I have a deeper appreciation. R.I.P. Jake. I love you forever.

[hildre.]

My mom passed away from cancer in my arms three years ago. "Im not afraid of death, Im afraid of.. not being here". I miss you mom..

[princeonsare]

I'm not ashamed to admit that I literally cried reading the comments as the song played on. I'm so sorry for everyone who had to experience grief. I hope one day you will be happy again💌

[Henry-xtls]

This seriously might be the saddest song I've ever heard

[Katie-edgb]

My best friend once told me, "if i die dont cry and take pitty on me. Instead, remeber all all the things i did in my life." Today marks the 8th year since she died. This song reminded me very much of her. Thank you.

[summer-rdqw]

I’m 14. My mom is in her fifties. I’m scared of the time that will come when she will die. I’m not prepared and I don’t think I’ll ever been prepared. I know I should be enjoying the moments with her rather than being scared of when she won’t be here so I will try. I love her so much and this song reminds me so much of her. Great work Sufjan!

[gauravprakash]

Marking my presence here on 4th July, 2020. This has been a horrible year. A lot of people have lost their loved ones. I hope they all rest in peace.

[Mikelz]

Just remember that your not the only one crying in the other side of the screen. ALL pain will end.

[josue.r.]

100 reasons to keep going in life:
1. to make your parents proud
2. to conquer your fears
3. to see your family again
4. to see your favourite artist live
5. to listen to music again
6. to experience a new culture
7. to make new friends
8. to inspire
9. to have your own children
10. to adopt your own pet
11. to make yourself proud
12. to meet your idols
13. to laugh until you cry
14. to feel tears of happiness
15. to eat your favorite food
16. to see your siblings grow
17. to pass school
18. to get tattoo
19. to smile until your cheeks hurt
20. to meet your internet friends
21. to find someone who loves you like you deserve
22. to eat ice cream on a hot day
23. to drink hot chocolate on a cold day
24. to see untouched snow in the morning
25. to see a sunset that sets the sky on fire
26. to see stars light up the sky
27. to read a book that changes your life
28. to see the flowers in the spring
29. to see the leaves change from green to brown
30. to travel abroad
31. to learn a new language
32. to learn to draw
33. to tell others your story in the hopes of helping them
34. Puppy kisses.
35. Baby kisses (the open mouthed kind when they smack their lips on your cheek).
36. Swear words and the release you feel when you say them.
37. Trampolines.
38. Ice cream.
39. Stargazing.
40. Cloud watching.
41. Taking a shower and then sleeping in clean sheets.
42. Receiving thoughtful gifts.
43. “I saw this and thought of you."
44. The feeling you get when someone you love says, “I love you."
45. The relief you feel after crying.
46. Sunshine.
47. The feeling you get when someone is listening to you/giving you their full attention.
48. Your future wedding.
49. Your favorite candy bar.
50. New clothes.
51. Witty puns.
52. Really good bread.
53. Holding your child in your arms for the first time.
54. Completing a milestone (aka going to college, graduating college, getting married, getting your dream job.)
55. The kind of dreams where you wake up and can’t stop smiling.
56. The smell before and after it rains
57. The sound of rain against a rooftop.
58. The feeling you get when you’re dancing.
59. The person (or people) that mean the most to you. Stay alive for them.
60. Trying out new recipes.
61. The feeling you get when your favorite song comes on the radio.
62. The rush you get when you step onto a stage.
63. You have to share your voice and talents and knowledge with the world because they are so valuable.
64.Breakfast in bed.
65. Getting a middle seat in the movie theater.
66. Breakfast for dinner (because it’s so much better at night than in the morning).
67. Pray (if you are religious)
68. Forgiveness.
69. Water balloon fights.
70. New books by your favorite authors.
71. Fireflies.
72. Birthdays.
73. Realizing that someone loves you.
74. Spending the day with someone you
75. Opportunity to create meaningful and lasting relationships.
76. Potential to learn, grow, and evolve as a person.
77. Joy and happiness in the little things.
78. The power to inspire others.
79. The ability to create art, music, and other forms of self-expression.
80. To explore different cultures, traditions, and ways of life.
81. To make a positive impact on the environment and help protect the planet.
82. Experience the joys of parenthood and raise a family.
83. Learn new things and develop new skills.
84. Create a legacy that will outlive you.
85. Being wrapped up in a warm bed.
86. Cuddles
87. Holding hands.
88. The kind of hugs when you can feel a weight being lifted off your shoulders. The kind of hug where your breath syncs with the other person’s, and you feel like the only two people in the world.
89. Singing off key with your best friends.
90. Road trips.
91. Spontaneous adventures.
92. The feeling of sand beneath your toes.
93. The feeling when the first ocean wave rolls up and envelops your toes and ankles and knees.
94. Thunderstorms.
95. Your first (or hundredth) trip to Disneyland.
96. The taste of your favorite food.
97. The child-like feeling you get on Christmas morning.
98. The day when everything finally goes your way.
99. Compliments and praise.
100. to look on this moment in 10 years time and realize you did it.

[BEEscuit]

This makes me think about how much little me went through. She didn't deserve any of what happened. She was so confused, sad and alone. She helped everyone, but no one helped her when she needed the most.
I imagine present me singing this to old me. I wish i could've taken better care of my inner child. She deserved so much more.

[Sameoldfitup]

“Has it ever struck you that life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going?”― Tennessee Williams

[-val-]

Today my grandpa passed away in the morning. When I heard the news I immediatly remembered this song.
I was listening to this while remembering all my memories with him and looking at the white snowy forest, until I realised that his birthday was exactly on the fourth of july.
He passed away alone in the hospital bed and no one got to say goodbye. I hope he didn’t feel alone though and felt our love towards him. Now he’s finally reunited with his love, my grandma.
Rest in peace George. Just know that I love you very much.

[khmkay]

my boyfriend died the 4th of July 2024..at the age of 16.
I’m praying God every night, oh how I miss and love him..

[wooes]

The thing I love almost more than the songs by Sufjan is his fan base. The comments section is always interesting and empathetic and emotional... Its the good side of youtube

[hi_k_w]

Today, the 4th of July, I was supposed to end my life. That was my mission. Yesterday my friends prepare a surprise for me: a cake for me. All this party was my best friend's idea.
Now I'm sitting in the living room, dreaming about the travel we're going to start in two weeks.
Just want to listen to this song and remember how it feels so sad when I was at my lowest.
But now, I can see some light in my future. And this, this feels so relaxing.