Music Therapy Moments: Never Say Die

I found myself doing an unplanned joint visit with the chaplain. We were doing our best to support a patient to provide social interaction and promote self expression. It is always a balance act when they seem more interested in asking us questions about our music preferences and such. We wanted to get to know them. Throughout the visit we touched on some R&B hits and a gospel tune sung by Al Green. Yet the most profound moment came towards the end of our visit.

The patient mentioned that they enjoyed karaoke and that their go to song was "Never Say Die" by Black Sabbath. I didn't know the song. Of course, I know Black Sabbath (my deceased Aunt had made sure of that). We listened to a recording together and they sang along, appearing to go back to the karaoke stage in their mind. When finished, the patient acknowledge the irony in sharing this song at the time now that they were receiving hospice care, a choice they had made themselves.

I prompted some song discussion, and the patient mentioned how motivating the song is to them. That it still provided a sense of hope. The chaplain and I validated his words and reflections as we ended the visit. The patient expressed appreciation for the support and looked forward to future visits. I told the chaplain that "Never Say Die", could actually be a great song for me to add to my repertoire as a hospice music therapist.

It is has been several months since that visit and the patient has since died. Yet, that first visit will remain with me for a while. I have been meaning to do a deeper dive into the lyrics of "Never Say Die" in prep to add it into my songbook...because, yes, that wasn't the first time I have gotten serious requests for Black Sabbath. (Though some initial research notes the song/album has some mixed reception.) When looking online about the potential meaning, many believe it is a song about resiliency and perseverance in the face of losing hope and a changing sense of reality.

Below are some of my thoughts about the lyrics of "Never Say Die" by Black Sabbath and questions I might ask as this song is discussed.

People going nowhere, taken for a ride

• Who is "driving?"

• How do you feel about being "taken for a ride?"

• I feel this could be a statement about not having control or about letting go of control.

• Where would you want to be heading, if you were driving/in control?

Looking for the answers that they know inside

• Is there a sense of avoiding the answers in terms of the previous line? Seeking answers elsewhere and avoiding inner personal reflection? Or the opposite, is it a "ride" to an inner world and there is openness with no particular destination...or it will be found with the answers?

• What are the questions?

Searching for a reason, looking for a rhyme

• Seems like one of the questions is "why?" and trying to make sense of it.

• Could reflect on the meaning of "rhyme"

Snow white parasite, partners in crime

• Reflect on the meaning

  • "snow white"- innocent? pure?

  • "Parasite"- something infectious, depleting, dependent on host, not always viewed as something positive.

  • (Online research notes probable relation to drugs)

  • "partners in crime"- Indicates a relationship? Possibly with a sense of of what ever the listener feels is the snow white parasite.

    • Do they feel like they have partners or support?

Don't they ever have to worry?

• What are some of the worries the writer might have? The writer seems to be concerned about others, possibly jealous/envious that they don't have worries?

  • What are some of the worries you might have?

Don't you ever wonder why?

• Return to the question of "why?"

It's a part of me that tells you

• What part? Are they telling this to another part of themselves?

• If they are speaking to someone else, who?

Oh, don't you ever, don't ever say die

Never, never, never say die again

• What do think the writer means by this?

• Could it mean don't give up?

Sunday satisfaction, madness on the rise

• There seems to be a paradox in these words...

Truth is on the doorstep, welcoming the lies

• Is truth not quite doing its job?

All dressed up in sorrow, got no place to go

• "Truth" seems to be struggling/stuck in a sense of sorrow

Hold tight, do it right, taking it slow

• Don't lose sight of values?

• What are you holding tight to? What needs to be done

Don't they ever have to worry?

Don't you ever wonder why?

It's a part of me that tells you

Oh, don't you ever, don't ever say die

Never, never, never say die again

Don't you ever say die

Don't you ever say die

Never say die

Fading silver lining, writing on the wall

• Discuss the meaning of these common phrases.

• Silver lining- hope is going

• Writing on the wall-inevitable

Children get together, you can save us all

• The youth might be able to make changes for the better

Future's on the corner, showing us our time

• What could the future hold if things don't change soon?

• What could the future look like if we recognize and value the time we have?

Slow down, turn around, everything's fine

• Discuss how to slow down and reflect on what has been happening

• Everything's fine?

There's no need to have a reason

There's no need to wonder why

• The writer appears to have let go of previous questions and concerns about reasons and why.

• What is their focus now?

  
  

It's a part of me that tells you

Oh, don't you ever, don't ever say die

Never, never, never say die again

Never say die

I feel like this is a really interesting "hospice" song in my opinion. It provides some spaces to reflect on acceptance of death, time, purpose, and reframing mindset. I am very thankful this patient shared this song with me. Take a listen to the song and reflect on how the music itself adds to the message of the words.