David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie
Though “My Death” is not a Bowie original, he covered it many times over the course of his career. There is a lot of lyrical variation between Bowie’s various iterations of this track (1973, 1995, 1997). However, the lyrics on Genius reflect the original 1972 live recording. The most famous version...
[Verse 1]
My death waits like an old roué
So confident I'll go his way
Whistle to him and the passing time
My death waits like a bible truth
At the funeral of my youth
Oh, we bowed for that and the passing time
My death waits like a witch at night
As surely as our love is bright
Let's not think about the passing time
[Chorus]
But whatever lies behind the door
There is nothing much to do
Angel or devil, I don't care
For, in front of that door
There is you
[Verse 2]
My death waits like a beggar blind
Who sees the world through an unlit mind
Throw him a dime for the passing time
My death waits there between your thighs
Your cool fingers will close my eyes
Let's think of that and the passing time
My death waits to allow my friends
A few good times before it ends
So let's drink to that and the passing time
[Chorus]
But whatever lies behind the door
There is nothing much to do
Angel or devil, I don't care
For, in front of that door
There is you
[Verse 3]
My death waits there, among the leaves
In magician's mysterious sleeves
Rabbits and dogs and the passing time
My death waits there among the flowers
Where the blackest shadow, the blackest shadow cowers
Let's pick lilacs for the passing time
My death waits there, in a double bed
Sails of oblivion at my head
So pull up the sheets against the passing time
[Chorus]
But whatever lies behind the door
There is nothing much to do
Angel or devil, I don't care
For, in front of that door there is
Thank you
My Death (Live 1973) was written by Mort Shuman & Jacques Brel.
My Death (Live 1973) was produced by Tony Visconti & Mike Moran & David Bowie.