Bring my flowers now, while I'm Living'

Posted on October 2, 2022.

I was listening to Blue Grass Gospel the other night when I heard a song Give Me Flowers While I'm Living”, written by Louise Certain, Gladys Stacey and Elvin Bigger and was first released by Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs & The Foggy Mountain Boys in 1957. I've heard it before and being a florist and plants person I was wondering who wrote it. While looking it up I came across a newer version that was written by Tanya Tucker. I think the lyrics seem to say how most of us feel at times, especially as we age and look back and maybe would do some things a little differently, but unfortunately that's impossible. Following is the article from “Song Facts” This tender ballad was recorded by Tanya Tucker for While I'm Livin', her first album of original material in 17 years. The song was written by Tucker with the record's co-producer, Brandi Carlile, and Carlile's sibling bandmates, Tim and Phil Hanseroth. The somber song serves as a reminder to show appreciation for others while you still have the chance. So I said, "Listen, I got..." And I said, somethin' about, Goin' to somebody's funeral or something, I said, "Man," I said, "Bring my flowers now, while I'm living"
Said Tucker: "This song came from my heart. It's about showing love for the ones we have now before they are gone."
Tucker and Carlile performed the song at Loretta Lynn's April 1, 2019 All-Star Birthday Celebration Concert at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
"Bring My Flowers Now" received three Grammy nominations: Song of the Year, Best Country Solo Performance, and Best Country Song. While I'm Livin' also received a nod for Best Country Album. Tucker's four nominations at the 2020 Awards were the most of any country performer that year.
"Bring My Flowers Now" was initiated by Brandi Carlile. She suggested they "write the song [Tucker] had been trying to write for 30 years." Though the task appeared to be daunting, the track was actually written in about 30 minutes.
After writing the song, Tucker stepped into the booth to lay down her vocals. The recording taught her a lesson about not being too obsessive at getting everything right. The country star explained to The Boot that she wanted to change a few things, but Carlile refused, saying, "This song sticks. This is what came out of your mouth, and that's the way we're gonna put it on there."
"We always want perfection - just getting somewhere in the state of it would be nice," Tucker added. "But we always want it to be perfect. And it's never gonna be perfect. In fact, if you were perfect, nobody would like you, right?"
Accompanied by Carlisle, Tucker performed this at the Grammy Awards in 2020, where the song won for Best Country Song and While I'm Livin' took the trophy for Best Country Album.    

Bring my flowers now, while I'm livin'
I won't need your love when I'm gone
Don't spend time, tears, or money on my old breathless body
If your heart is in them flowers, bring 'em on

All the miles cast a long shadow
I'd take a couple back if I could
I'd've learned to play guitar
Told my daddy more I loved him
But I believe, for the most part, I done good

There's always sunrise and rainbows and babies
And the little things I cherish on my way
Even though one day
They'll bury me and Jessie Mae
I just know we're gonna ride again someday

Bring my flowers now, while I'm livin'
I won't need your love when I'm gone
Don't spend time, tears, or money on my old breathless body
Well, if your heart is in them flowers, bring 'em on                                                                         

The days are long but the years are lightning
They're bright and they will never strike again
I wish I'd been a better friend, a better daughter to my mother
There's no goin' back when your back's against the wind

So if you got love, then you're sittin' on a gold mine
And you can't take it with you when you go
So don't wait to help your sister
Forgive your brother and your neighbor
We all think we got the time until we don't

Bring my flowers now, while I'm livin'
I won't need your love when I'm gone
Don't spend time, tears, or money on my old breathless body
If your heart is in them flowers, bring 'em on
If your heart is in them flowers, bring 'em on        

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.” Mark 13:32-33