It was a picture perfect postcard day
When I followed her down the road, 
A day to get to heaven, a day to drop your load
And as I walk down smiling on the street
I heard again the words she'd said to me:
 
You know I am burning, they say
It's better to burn out than it is to rust
So I am burning darling, away
The gravel and the dust, 
I am burning both ends, 
And if I don't last the day, 
Tell my friends of the light
When I was burning away
 
On such a really picture postcard day
We went the longest road, 
Thru places where we had lived, 
Thru places we had roamed
And when at last we got where we should be
I heard again the words she'd said to me:
 
And so I am burning, they say
It's better to burn out than to fade away
So I am burning darling, today, 
And I know that it won't last, 
I am burning both ends, 
And as I may not last the day, 
Tell my friends of the light
When I was burning away
 
It was a really perfect postcard day
When she went down to her last home, 
A perfect day to get some rest, 
A day like seldom come
And as the ground was closing and she was set free
I heard again the words she'd said to me:
 
And now I am burning, they say
It's better to burn out than just disappear
I am burning darling, away
It's getting dark but I have no fear
I am burning both ends, 
And as I won't last the day, 
Tell my friends of the flames
When I was burning away