In Act Five Scene Three, Juliet awakens from her self-induced coma and she finds Romeo lifeless on the ground beside her. Due to her immense love for Romeo, Juliet commits suicide, unable to cope with the loss of her husband. The song “Better Dig Two”, by The Band Perry, is a perfect addition to this scene. The first verse describes the strong love that Juliet had for Romeo and vice versa. “I told you on the day we wed, I was gonna love you ‘til I’s dead.” This line foreshadows the tragic event that ends this scene, Juliet ‘s death. The second verse continues to explain the two lovers’ love towards each other, saying that Juliet would rather die than divorce Romeo. “Cause I’ll go to heaven or I’ll go to hell, before I’ll see you with someone else.” Likewise, in the book Juliet says, “This is thy sheath. There rust, and let me die.” (5.3.170) Juliet would take her own life for her beloved Romeo. The chorus is a perfect match to this tragic scene. “Put me in the ground, put me six foot down, and let the stone say: ‘Here lies the girl whose only crutch was loving one man just a little too much.’ If you go before I do, I’m gonna tell the grave digger that he better dig two.” Juliet’s only crutch “was loving one man just a little too much.” Eventually this love drives Juliet to commit suicide because she cannot stand living if Romeo is not with her. The second verse describes Juliet’s attempts at committing suicide. In the book, Juliet says, “I will kiss thy lips, haply some poison yet doth hang on them.” (5.3.164-165) Juliet attempts to poison herself with a drop of poison left on Romeo’s lips. However, this does not work. In the song, the second verse starts by saying drugs didn’t kill me; it was my own hand that harmed me. “It won’t be whiskey, it won’t be meth. It’ll be your name on my last breath.” The song continues saying, “If divorce or death ever do us part, the coroner will call it a broken heart.” Thus saying that both Juliet and Romeo died from a broken heart. The chorus is repeated and then the bridge begins. “I took your name when I took these vows. I meant ‘em then and I mean ‘em right now.” Similarly, in the book Juliet says, “Where is my lord?” (5.3.148) as if they now share the same name. The song then finishes by repeating the chorus once more.
BAND PERRY - BETTER DIG TWO
I told you on the day we wed
I was gonna love you 'til I's dead
Made you wait 'til our wedding night
That's the first and the last time I'll wear white
So if the ties that bind ever do come loose
Tie 'em in a knot like a hangman's noose
Cause I'll go to heaven or I'll go to hell
Before I'll see you with someone else
Put me in the ground
Put me six foot down
And let the stone say:
"Here lies the girl whose only crutch
Was loving one man just a little too much"
If you go before I do
I'm gonna tell the gravedigger that he better dig two
It won't be whiskey, won't be meth
It'll be your name on my last breath
If divorce or death ever do us part
The coroner will call it a broken heart
So put me in the ground
Put me six foot down
And let the stone say:
"Here lies the girl whose only crutch
Was loving one man just a little too much"
If you go before I do
I'm gonna tell the gravedigger that he better dig two
I took your name when I took those vows
I meant 'em back then and I mean 'em right now,
Oh, right now
If the ties that bind ever do come loose
If "forever" ever ends for you
If that ring gets a little too tight
You might as well read me my last rites
And let the stone say:
"Here lies the girl whose only crutch
Was loving one man just a little too much
BAND PERRY - BETTER DIG TWO
I told you on the day we wed
I was gonna love you 'til I's dead
Made you wait 'til our wedding night
That's the first and the last time I'll wear white
So if the ties that bind ever do come loose
Tie 'em in a knot like a hangman's noose
Cause I'll go to heaven or I'll go to hell
Before I'll see you with someone else
Put me in the ground
Put me six foot down
And let the stone say:
"Here lies the girl whose only crutch
Was loving one man just a little too much"
If you go before I do
I'm gonna tell the gravedigger that he better dig two
It won't be whiskey, won't be meth
It'll be your name on my last breath
If divorce or death ever do us part
The coroner will call it a broken heart
So put me in the ground
Put me six foot down
And let the stone say:
"Here lies the girl whose only crutch
Was loving one man just a little too much"
If you go before I do
I'm gonna tell the gravedigger that he better dig two
I took your name when I took those vows
I meant 'em back then and I mean 'em right now,
Oh, right now
If the ties that bind ever do come loose
If "forever" ever ends for you
If that ring gets a little too tight
You might as well read me my last rites
And let the stone say:
"Here lies the girl whose only crutch
Was loving one man just a little too much