ONLY THE GOOD DIE YOUNG

Written by
Billy Joel

Originally performed by

Billy Joel (1977)
The Gimmes version also includes
Misc.

A-side of the "BILLY" 7" (1996).

The song also appears on the Punk-O-Rama, Vol. 2 compilation. Check out the other comps the Gimmes have appeared on here.

It later appeared as track 9 of "Have Another Ball" (2008).

The last line of the fifth verse was changed. Originally, it was : "You didn't count on me, when you were counting on your rosary". It became "You never thought of me, when you considered trying sodomy".

In the sixth verse, "sinners" were replaced by "punks".

In the next verse, "a reputation" became "some mild abrasions".

Learn more about this song here.

Tabs
Bass tab (from www.jiihootabs.cjb.net).

Lyrics :

Come out Virginia don't let me wait
Catholic girls start much too late
Sooner or later it comes down to fate
I might as well be the one

Well they showed you a statue and told you to pray
Built you a temple and locked you away
Never they told you the price you would pay
For things that you might have done

Only the good die young
Only the good die young
Only the good die young
Only the good die young

You might have heard I run with a dangerous crowd
We ain't too pretty, we ain't too proud
Might be laughing a bit too loud
That never hurt no one

Come on Virginia show me a sign
Send up a signal, I'll throw you the line
The stained-glass curtain you're hiding behind
Never lets in the sun

Only the good die young
Only the good die young
Only the good die young
Only the good die young

You got a nice white dress and a party on your confirmation
You got a brand new soul and a cross of gold
But Virginia they didn't give you quite enough information
You never thought of me, when you considered trying sodomy

They say there's a heaven for those who will wait
Some say it's better but I say it ain't
I'd rather laugh with the punks and cry with the saints
'Cause smokers have much more fun

Only the good die young
Only the good die young
Only the good die young
Only the good die young
Yeah

You say your mother told you all that I could give you was some mild abrasions
She never cared for me, did she ever say a prayer for me?

Come out, come out, Virginia don't let me wait
Catholic girls start much too late
Sooner or later it comes down to fate
I might as well be the one

Only the good die young
Only the good die young
Only the good die young
Only the good die young
Only the good yeah
Only the good die young
Only the good die young
Only the good die young
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, huh