Crystal

If Today Was Your Last Day -Nickelback media type="youtube" key="zhDY7fZDUZ0" height="315" width="420" align="center"

My best friend gave me the best advice He said each day's a gift and not a given right  Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind   And try to take the path less traveled by   That first step you take is the longest stride

If today was your last day And tomorrow was too late Could you say goodbye to yesterday? Would you live each moment like your last? Leave old pictures in the past Donate every dime you have? If today was your last day

Against the grain should be a way of life What's worth the prize is always worth the fight Every second counts 'cause there's no second try So live like you'll never live it twice Don't take the free ride in your own life

If today was your last day And tomorrow was too late Could you say goodbye to yesterday? Would you live each moment like your last? Leave old pictures in the past Donate every dime you have? Would you call old friends you never see? Reminisce old memories Would you forgive your enemies? Would you find that one you're dreamin' of?

Swear up and down to God above That you finally fall in love If today was your last day



If today was your last day Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart? You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars Regardless of who you are So do whatever it takes 'Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life Let nothin' stand in your way Cause the hands of time are never on your side

If today was your last day And tomorrow was too late Could you say goodbye to yesterday?

Would you live each moment like your last? Leave old pictures in the past Donate every dime you have? Would you call old friends you never see? Reminisce old memories Would you forgive your enemies? Would you find that one you're dreamin' of? Swear up and down to God above That you finally fall in love If today was your last day

Allusion: leave no stone unturned traces back to Greek mythology when a general consulted the Oracle of Delphi on how to find a defeated general's hidden treasure. He was advised to "leave no stone unturned" and sure enough, after moving every stone, he found the hidden treasure. This relates to the capre diem theme because to leave no stone unturned means to take every possible option. Living life to the fullest means to not allow any opportunities pass you by.

Response: I just love this entire song as a whole. Every line represents some sort of carpe diem theme. My favorite lines, though, are the ones about donating every dime you have, forgiving your enemies, and falling in love. These are really important factors of life to me. Both the rich and poor have a tendency to hoard their possesions and wealth. No one is capable of taking their things with them when they die, so why hold onto your money? Either spend it or share it. In this case, it'd probably be better to share it. Living life to the fullest consists of doing great things; when you have more than enough, donate to the less fortunate. Also, it is important to be able to forgive those who have wronged you. It is apart of life and a person lives better without enemies. So many people fail to realize the effect that harboring grudges has on them. Falling in love is a pretty obvious important factor. Everyone wants to find the perfect guy or girl, and fall in love. We have to seize the day and take advantage of finding the right person. We have to embrace life as if we were to die today. Do not focus on the past or worry about the future. Focus only on the present.


 * rhyme scheme: mostly AABCB
 * metaphor: day to gift
 * leave no stone unturned: allusion to an ancient Greek legend
 * it's always difficult to start something, but gets better over time
 * donate every dime you have: you can't take possesions with you when you do, so don't hoard them while alive
 * against the grain: do something that is not usually done
 * simile: live like you'll never live twice

Sources.

"Nickelback Lyrics." (2011): n. pag. //AZ Lyrics//. Web. 26 Sep 2011. http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/nickelback/iftodaywasyourlastday.html.

 Ammer, Christine. (2003): n. pag. //Your Dictionary//. Web. 26 Sep 2011. http://idioms.yourdictionary.com/leave-no-stone-unturned.