We buried my grandfather this Thursday. Here's a song I wrote for him.

[theflink]

Hello guys.

My grandfather passed away saturday morning. He had been suffering from dementia for some years now, but passed from pneumonia. He would have turned 92 this September, so he lived a long life and was one of the kindest and most loving people i've ever had the pleasure to know.

His dementia was a great source of grief for my family and I, and around 3 years ago I wrote this song.

Now seemed like the time to record it and I guess i felt like sharing it as well.

I hope you guys enjoy the song. My voice is a bit pitchy in it... Had to give it a fair few goes before I could sing it without starting to cry, but I got a passable recording in the end.




These are the lyrics, in case you'd just like to read the song instead of listening to it:

___________________________________________
Deep blue eyes
so hard to see
kept inside a memory
tears of grief for living souls
chained to minds that can't unfold the truth anymore

Wheel keeps spinning
left behind
A wooden soldier lost in time
Battle scars from olden days
grace the face of one I used to know

Shades of sadness
in your gaze
worried lines
across your face
cannot trust what you believe
cannot trust what you can see
cannot speaks what's on your mind
you see through someone elses eyes instead

So I say goodbye
to what I knew
I don't know
what else to do
He doesn't recognize my face
the man who did has left this place
he is out there in the dark
but he's already gone to far
to see

And when your maker
calls you home
when all the pain you feel
is gone
you might think of me some day
remember how we used to play
remember how you'd lift me up
and spin me round and round and round and round
___________________________________________

I feel like it's helped me somewhat to record the song, so i might record some of the others i wrote about/for him.

Hope you guys like it

Kind regards,

Marc

[steve223]

Thank you for sharing. And my condolences. My grandma had Alzheimer and this song struck home for me. And I thought you did a fine job

[Kerbie]

My thoughts are with you. Keep your memories close.

[TomB'sox]

That was very good, lots of emotions expressed there, I can see how it helped you to get it out. My mother is 94 and getting to this same place....hard.

[Wrighty]

Lovely, and so poignant. My condolences on losing your Grandpa. My Mum has dementia and is 87 and I resonate very much with many of your lyrics - it’s such a sad disease to witness.

[reeve21]

That was beautiful, Marc. A wonderful tribute. My condolences to you and your family.

[Glennwillow]

Hi Marc,

I am sorry to hear of the loss of your grandfather. I know what it's like to lose people to Alzheimer's Disease. Both my parents died from this disease and in both cases it was a very tough road for them and those left behind.

Best wishes...

- Glenn

[Amarc]

Marc, that was very emotional, insightful and poetic. I sympathize with your loss. But reflect on this: we all reach the end of the road someday, but life is measured by its journey, not it's ending. Both my grandfathers died before I was born, and I never had the opportunity to know them. You and your grandfather shared a good part of the journey together, and you were enriched and influenced by that experience. Cherish that journey that you both had together together and know that you are a far better person because of it.

[Antipodean Ed]

Hi, Marc. Beautifully done and very moving. I've just posted a song on a similar subject (Fading Away), though they're old friends, not quite as close to the bone as yours. Thanks for sharing your song with us. Ed.

[fitness1]

Well done - sorry about your loss. I just lost my Dad to Lewy Bodies dementia 4 months ago as well.

When you are a caregiver as I was, these lyrics really hit home.

I wrote a song for Dad when he was still well and can hardly get through it now. You've done very well this this, given the situation!

[jaymarsch]

Thanks for sharing this Marc. Beautifully done. So sorry for your loss but glad that you could turn to your music for support and comfort. I find music and guitar playing a particularly trusted companion when I am dealing with grief and loss.

Best,
Jayne

[theflink]

Just wanted to thank everyone for their lovely messages of support and im particularly touched by those who said the song hit a note for them because of their own experiences.

Thank you!

[JJI]

Nicely done, Marc. Nicely done indeed.