We’re all gonna cry.

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

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.

Last year I lost my little sister in December to suicide, this was the song I listened to every night. Sometimes I listen to this song and think of her.

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

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

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

My cat died tonight. Didn't imagine it would hurt this much. He added joy to a joyless life I depressingly bear. Thanks for all the love, the warmth, and all the good times. will forever miss you baby.

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.

I couldn't cry because in a separate tab I was reading about instant ramen

Yesterday. The 14th of November 2023. That's when he left. That's when cancer took him away from me. He was my best friend. He had the brightest smile and the most contagious laugh. His heart was full of love to give. He was a really smart guy. He knew so much about history. He was always able to comfort me. He was always by my side. We dreamed of the future together. But what now? He was only 18. He deserved so much better. I miss him so much. He will always be in my heart.

For the person reading this, healing takes time. I love you. You're so worth it. You're amazing. You're the best person in the world.

Devastating and gorgeous.

When I was a teenager, I’d cry with tears. Now as an adult, there’s no tears. My body just aches, I can’t feel my legs and I shake. *We’re all gonna die*

My grandma passed away today. I prayed day and night hoping that she will be able to stay long enough to see me success in life and to meet me one last time. (I study abroad) I wanna hug her, be there for her one last time. See her smile one last time. I feel so lost right now

Why do u cry ? It hits u so hard feels like someone actually is speaking to u

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💌

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

Two years ago i was on the lowest point in my life. Listening to this song just crying was some form of therapy for me. The person reading this, i know you don’t believe it but it does get better. No matter how bad it is and how much you’re suffering, it always gets better. I still start to cry listening to this even though i‘ve healed. Memories can hurt but that’s totally okay.

my papa passed away at around 2:00 this morning. he and my nana were like second parents to me because they'd always take care of me whenever my parents were at work or busy. this is the first time i've had to deal with something like this and i'm so scared. i miss him so so much already. now i'll always think of him when i hear this song. i love you so much, Papa

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!

This song is a conversation between Sufjan and his mother, Carrie, while she was dying in the hospital. Each stanza alternates between them. Sufjan spoke of this time in an interview: She had stomach cancer, and it was a quick demise. We flew to see her in the ICU before she died. She was in a lot of pain, and on a lot of drugs, but she was aware. It was so terrifying to encounter death and have to reconcile that, and express love, for someone so unfamiliar. Her death was so devastating to me because of the vacancy within me… At that point, I was only interested in communicating my love for her, unconditionally. There was a reciprocal deep love and care for each other in that moment. It was very profound and healing. A beautifully sad album overall. This song makes me cry though.

i found out yesterday that i lost a close friend to suicide. i came here because i find slight comfort in this song. i don’t know how to feel, i’ve never lost someone before. i want to talk about it but at the same time i don’t want to think about it. she would always come up and hug me and i even saw her two days ago. i waved at her. she seemed happy. you never know what someone is going through, though. i still can’t process that i won’t see her again, when i’m walking through the hallways in school or walking down my street. i feel horrible for her family, and our other friends. i hope everyone reading this understands that you aren’t alone

I listened to this song a million times when my grandmother passed away 9 months ago...she was my everything. Couple months later I couldn't listen to this song anymore because it always reminded me of how I felt when I was mourning for her. I was held on to my grandfather who gave me confort and the love that i needed. 5 days ago, my grandfather passed away... Here I am again crying while listening to this song. I don't know how am I going to get used to continue living without them. The grief is such a long and difficult journey. Rest in peace my beloved ones, I will always love you.

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.

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

I remember listening to this song a lot last year. My best friend suffered with many mental disorders, an illness too and she was always in hospitals. She was suicidal as well. A lot of times I cried at night thinking that if I fell asleep I'd wake up with her texting me a goodbye and leaving me forever. She was the only person who ever understood me and made me feel better, she didn't make me uncomfortable and was always nice and funny. At some point she committed. She wad admitted to a hospital, she survived, but I've been even more scared since that day. Everytime I had to go to school and leave my phone at home or not look at it for the next 7 hours, scared me to death because any of these hours could be the time she tries committing again and this time she might succeed. There were times where she'd leave for a week, most of the time because of her illness affecting her life or a depressive episode. I counted those days and always thought "if she is gone for more than 7 then she died" and every time I was any close to the 7th day I would just breakdown and cry thinking everything was over and that I actually lost my best friend. Luckily she always came back, she never left me and I'm glad. Recently she said her life got better, still in the hospital a lot of the time, but she said she was doing better. I am happy for her, but I can't stop crying and overthinking almost every night. Idk if she will die, idk if she will live. Even if things are better now I wont ever stop feeling this fear as if she will stop responding for days again. I dont want to have to count them again and feel more and more depressed everytime I wake up :(

Today is exactly three years since I lost my best friend to suicide. I really hope he is better where he is now. I will always love you and will never forget you.

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.

3:10 "why do you cry?.." This part always made me wanna hug someone and cry

Just lost my grandpa today and I came here to listen to this masterpiece while crying

Chills reading these comments. My mom passed away from illness at 44 years old, I had just turned 18. This song always hits me to the core. But it's also so tragically beautiful that I listen to it when I'm trying to sleep. Just puts me at peace surprisingly enough.

You've got the world crying in public places Sufjan!

“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

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..

Depression made me apathetic, and I distanced myself from my friends and family. My grandmother died during that time. I refused to meet anyone, even her, with whom I was the closest. She was the only person I thought was the best person in the world, who would support me and didn't care if I was different or not an ideal man. She would fight for me if someone was ridiculing me. When she died, it came as a shocker, as she died quickly without any major illness prior. I was so numb to everything around me when she died; I couldn't even cry. I felt nothing; I was just filled with regrets that I couldn't meet her one last time and just sit with her. When I go to our ancestral home and see her photos, the only feeling I get is that she is no more in the world. I have seen many comments from people who have lost their loved ones. Cherish those who are around, because no one knows when they will leave us. May all of those who left rest in peace.

My dad's funeral is tomorrow. I'm thinking of using this song. It would've been his and my mother's 41st anniversary. He was only 64 yrs old. We didn't get a chance to tell him goodbye because of hospital restrictions on visitors.

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.

The opening line in the letter my mum wrote me for when she would no longer be here is. My dearest rob Sorry to have left you but it was my time to go. Man that opening hits hard when I read it. It's only been a month since she passed. To everyone else listening to this song, I feel your pain, it will get easier I'm sure of it, feel your sadness it's all part of what ever you are going through.

I’ve been through so much and I’m only a teenager living in this cruel world. But just recently I lost my grandmother through it all. I never got to come out to her which I regret. But this song whenever I listen to it I feel like I can feel her hugs while listening. Miss you Granny 🕊️

My mother died on the fourth of July battling cancer. I can relate to each and every word of this song as I have infact and lived every moment of this song with her before I discovered it, I was with the till the end and the only person I ever loved selflessly in this world. I love this song but I can't listen to it without wet eyes and avoid it because it only makes me cry. I wish you rest in peace maa and I will see you on the other side. I hope I was a good child.

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.

It’s rare that I cry over songs,but this one genuinely makes me sob

I don't wanna be here

"did you get enough love, my little dove?" this line always makes me think of my mother and her last words to me before she passed away when i was 5, its currently almost been a decade since she passed and i still continuously wish she was here still just so she could see me and how far ive come in my lifetime and see me graduate high school

Lie down. Try not to cry. Cry a lot.

This song remind me of my late grandma. We were so close, we spent many nights talking about everything,listening to her telling stories from her childhood,early years,of my grandpa and everything. Everything was perfect until one night I found a text message on my mother's phone saying that my grandma had stage 4 stomach cancer. It absolutly broke me,for about a month I wasn t in the mood for everything. I watched horrified as cancer slowly kill her day by day, turning her from a beautifull strong old woman, to a frail corpse,only a shadow of the woman she once was. Grandma's pain was over on 4th of march 2023. It has been almost half a year since that but I feel her presence everyday. Miss you grandma❤

i just can’t picture myself at his funeral. finally this song and it’s beautiful yet painful lyrics resonate with me. and it hurts, more than i thought it would. i hope he gets better, even though the chances are low. i love you grandad.

when my mum dies im dying with her. bury me in the same casket, i love her too much to be without her

My boyfriend passed away a week ago, there's no song that resonates more than this masterpiece.... Thank you Sufjan..

This song is incredibly beautiful but my heart feels so heavy when I listen to it.

I lost my dad on April 4th (a week ago), and this was what I was listening to on the evening before his death. He had small cell lung cancer, and he was tired of the pain he constantly endure, so I am happy that he does not have to suffer anymore. He always wanted to get better and return home, but fate had other plans. I was with him during his last 2 months in the hospital, and it was heartbreaking to see him worsen each day.

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." We're all gonna die We're all gonna die We're all gonna die We're all gonna die We're all gonna die We're all gonna die We're all gonna die

to whoever comes across this, i just want to say that you deserve so much more than what you've been through and you are worth so much more than you could ever comprehend

This song destroyed me emotionally like nothing else. My Mother was diagnosed with breast cancer 7 years ago and fought like hell to make it through. I'm grateful every day she's still here and that I get more time with her. I've been messed up by movies, books, and other songs before. But this one roused part of my soul that's normally dormant. Life is fleeting, beautiful, brutal, and it all ends the same way for all of us. Cherish the ones you love and try and find as much happiness and light as you can before the curtain call folks.

My great grandmother died in 1999, 5 yrs before I was born. My middle name was given in honor of her. I guess recently my Dad dug up her memorial card, bc just the other day I found it lined up against the window with the rest of our relatives’ funeral cards. I was taking a good look at it in complete awe, and then I saw what her death date was - the Fourth of July. I read the prayer on the card and started crying. Missing somebody you’ve never met is hard. This song will forever remind me of her. 🩵

i'm laying in bed in the dark listening to this, in tears. my parents don't understand where i'm at in my life. they keep blaming it on my phone and little do they know my phone is my only escape. i have no motivation for anything anymore. this song upsets me so much because it makes me think of my younger and happier self. nothing could ever bring her down. she would be so disappointed in me.

My brother died in a car crash the night before the fourth of July, I was fourteen. It really hits home because this song is a different kind of sad. It sounds hollow and cold and broken rather than deeply emotional, and that's the magic of it.

Enough to make a grown man cry ❤ *while crying*

My grandpa passed away in 2018 to lung cancer when I was 9 and now I feel a special connection to this song.

Hi there. Just wanted to add few lines here. I'm from Ukraine and I was listening to this song while sitting in the basement because of bombs and rockets. I cannot express that feeling of near death, but that were surely the worst four weeks of my life. This song calmed me, when thoughts about absence of tomorrow came. This song calmed me, when the rocket fell in 200 meters near our house (our neighbors were lucky to be at another part of the house that time, so no victims from that one). It calmed me, when I left the dangerous area. And it calms me now, when I think of this whole thing continuing for 3 months already. I hate the war and people who started it. Let the sky be calm. Stay safe, guys. Thank you, Sufjan. UPD: as many of you asked, I'm okay, as well as my family. I'm home now, but the war still continues and we still are waking up to sounds of explosions. Had to get used to it, as well to understanding that I might not wake up next time.

An absolutely heartbreaking song. "The hospital asked, 'Should the body be cast?'" is when I lost it. Both my parents died in 2013, six months apart and this is easily the first song I've heard since then that offered me a sort of sonic communion with their memory. Losing people you love can become so numbing, but this made me feel something true. Sufjan's voice is so haunting and beautiful. "Make the most of your life, while it is rife, while it is light" is the takeaway quote for me from this song. A real masterpiece in my opinion.

My cat Freddie my sweet baby died feb 10 2024 I will forever love you and dedicate this song to you. Thank you for being there for me rest in heaven ♡

I'm going through a hard time rn and I always listen to this song to make myself cry and it always works because this reminds me of a cat who died 2 years ago and I miss him so much, I never thought he would leave me n my family and I'm still not over his death and thinking about giving up

It's lovely that people like Sufjan gives some people the confidence to share stories with an incredible level of intimacy. It's a beautiful way of connecting.

damn it death alone is nothing. watching someone else die is terrifying.

When I listen to this music, I remember every person I have lost. My twin brother who didn't even have the chance to see the day. Every time I listen to this music, I imagine how my life would have been with him, and when the music stops, I remember that this Reality will never exist, and sometimes I wish our places were exchanged, that he could see the world even without me. To my grandmother who left in her sleep... And that when I saw her body in her coffin I didn't cry because I didn't want it to be real. To my dog ​​Maya who died on a Sunday, the day before my French test (I am French). When I saw her body lying on the ground which no longer moved and my mother shouted at me to come and help her carry her.. I was paralyzed.. I still have this horrible image in my mind and I never I would manage to forget... I screamed my sadness and my anger so much that my throat hurt, screaming for someone to give her back to me, that they had no right to take her from me.. And my mother who DARED to tell me: “Pass your French baccalaureate, do it for Maya.” my best friend and I were disgusted by her words.... Even now when I go home, I hope every day to see her waiting for me on her couch.. And unfortunately, I'm always disappointed. And she hasn't been here for 4 months now..

This song reminds me of my cat Finn who died this past July. He tried to hang on as long as he could, but it was too much after years of IMHA and vet visits and blood transfusions. I'm not sure if anyone will ever bring me the amount of joy he did. It was truely the brightest unconditional love. Then one day he was gone and the vet took his little body wrapped in a towel out of our house for the last time.

every time i hear "why do you cry" i swear i wanna cry

I lost my mother to cancer yesterday. this amazing album will be with me for the coming month and so many more.

It has been 6 years since I first listen to this. I remember crying like a baby when I first heard it, despite not knowing the story behind it or the meaning of the lyrics. I occasionally come back to this only to have the same tingly feeling in my chest and sob uncontrollably. It is still the same, probably the only song that didn't lose its effect after years.

This song is so poetically beautiful. I never cried to a song until I found this. 😢

My best friend Emily passed away a couple years ago, February 4th 2020. The car hydroplaned off the road, it wasn't raining but the roads were still super wet, she died instantly. A part of me is happy to know that she was never scared. She was maybe 4'11, so when the car came in on her her body was too small to handle it. She died a little over a month until her 17th birthday. Her funeral was beautiful, we had sunflowers and dragonflies and all of her favorite things. She was buried with her funkopop anime characters, stuffed animals, etc. Her body at the viewing, which was two weeks after she passed, looked absolutely beautiful. She looked like she was resting. I'll always remember our plans of moving in together, her going to college for art and me for veterinary science. I loved writing poems for her and she loved drawing pictures for me. I miss you everyday Emmy, my sunflower, my dragonfly, my little pancake. I love you, and I'll never forget our long talks, our dumb fandom interests, our cringy nicknames, I'll never forget us. Forever and always Emmy, you'll be with me forever and always.

I love this song. My cat that's on my pfp passed off to the sky two weeks ago.. I cry daily as she was my best friend and helped me through my roughest days. Always calmed me down and played with me daily. She really ment the world to me but passed due to a broken rib that pushed through her lounge..

I miss you, dad. I hope I see you again. In a better place. A place with no sadness or problems. No regrets, and no fears.

I like to listen to this song as a way of talking to my old self, my young self which was forced to mature due to circumstances, I like to listen to this song in way of reminiscing my old memories.

i'm gonna go tell my mother i love her

three days ago a friend of mine hung himself. I can't sleep without thinking about what he felt. what could i have done differently? it's really sad, he was only 18. he was a great boy and taught me so much. sweet, funny, good heart. in the past, i came here and saw some sad comments and I never thought it could be me living this kind of sadness. i close my eyes and I can see him alive. his details, his hands, his eyes. he didn't seem like himself in that coffin "it was night when you died, my firefly. what could I have said to raise you from the deads?"

Fun Game: put this in your playlist, hit shuffle and wait for it to sneak up on you. If it doesn’t, you win, if it does, you have to listen to the whole song without crying to win, if u cry, u lose and be sad

This song makes me cry every time and knowing it’s about his mom hits so hard. One of the saddest songs ever I get tears !

"Did you get enough love, my little dove, why do you cry?" Oh the feels...

both of my parents are dying from cancer, lung and prostate sufjan carry me away with your melancholy melodies

this song automatically makes me cry, it really hits. makes you miss every relative you’ve lost, including pets💔

This song always makes me cry no matter where im am whats happening or who im with. Its so beautiful yet sad.

Here I am, a 40-year-old man, holding my 5-year-old daughter as tears are pouring out after listening to this song.. I never cry about anything. Sufjan, you've destroyed me in 4 minutes and 38 seconds. Well done.. :O

For people who never say: I love you. We're all gonna die... My cousin died 2 years ago, was his death an accident, or was it a suicide, we never find out... His birthday was on the 4 of July. Each time, I cannot help myself but listen to this song whenever I think about him. He was just 19, and a thought that in his lifetime, I never ever said I love you to him... it haunts me till now. It's not like his life, his end would change, but the thought that he would be happier if he knew that I really loved him somehow makes me sad. Luka, Did you get enough love, my little dove? I hope now you are happy and you can feel love from people who never say I love you.

"I'm sorry I left, but it was for the best, though it never felt right." Reminds me of when my dad left when he and my mom had a huge argument. At first it happened on my birthday, but they...sorta worked it out, but the second time it happened on CHRISTMAS. Love you so so much mum and dad. I also love you, 2021 me. Worst year of my life.

It’s so heartwarming and touching how many people have different experiences and memories connected to this song. It js shows you’re not alone 🫶🏻

fourth of july is the saddest song i have ever heard in my life, but it gave me comfort when i needed it the most. It will always be my go-to song whenever I feel so sad and terrified of death.

Sometimes I come back to this song just to read the tributes people have written to their loved ones in the comment section.

this song reminds me of when i was a little bit closer with one of my brothers. it was january and we did go for a ride with the car, we had fun. listening to music,talking about things... not trying to convience one another of something, just being brothers. i miss being close with someone, feeling comfortable around someone.. he didnt pass away but we dont get along very well nowdays.

My nanna passed recently, she always said to me “I love you enough for everyone”. And the “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” hits man

3:14 "Make the most of your life, while it is rife, while it is light". Those are words that you all need to hear. Hold onto life

This song helps a lot. Reader, please never give up.

we all battle things but when we feel down we come back to this song

I lost my grandmother (July 29,2022) almost 2 years ago she passed peacefully by a heart attack in her sleep.. She is my best friend and we would always laugh.. The last moment I had with her was when i got hurt by something.. Fly high mema🕊

0:45 "it was night when you died.." my friend,not long ago, was walking home one evening when a car with an illegal speed killed him without mercy. The killer said she thought she hit a trash can. He was not a trash can,he was the most kind,talented,patient person. He was human. The killer is not in jail. Rest in power buddy

WARNING: The comment section my be sadder than this song.

My dog died today. At around 10am, she embarked on a journey to a realm where beauty reigns and pain is but a distant memory.

It's 2024, but still it feels like your loved one was here a few days ago.