I wrote “Irish Prayer” with Michael Hearne for our friend Pam Leitner and her Mom, Ann Templeton.  Pam had recently lost her mom, and I asked her how she was doing, and she said “OK”, but it hurt every now and then when something would come out of nowhere to remind her of her mom.  I’d been reading about the Irish and their belief of a thin veil between this world and the next beyond.  It’s from where we come and to where we return, and that our loved ones who have passed on are closer then we realize. I wrote the lyrics and read them to Michael Hearne over the phone, and he told me what chords for the music.

Ann Templeton was a renowned artist.

There's an unfinished painting on an easel
There's a half burned candle in your room An empty chair that sits at the table Tears that fall from a bitter sweet tune
Your voice and your laughter are missing It's an absence felt throughout the house I watched as you fell far away from this world
Beyond the veil into somewhere else
Beyond the veil into somewhere else

I had a dream I heard the coach rolling Down the mountain and up to the door
I looked away and you had been taken Now the world's not the same anymore We seem to appear out of nowhere
Or from wherever we come
And then disappear back into there
When a life is lived and done
When a life is lived and done

So fly away I won't try to hold you
Just fly away it's time to leave
No sad farewell no tears of sorrow
I'm going home I heard you whisper
I'm going home and set my soul free
I'm going home I'll be waiting to greet you
Here in heaven is where I will be

I see your face when I look in the mirror
I see you when I look at me
Your presence and grace surround me each day
As close and near as can be
So close as near as can be

So fly away I won't try to hold you
Just fly away it's time to leave
No sad farewell No tears of sorrow
I'm going home I heard you whisper I'm going home and set my soul free
I'm going home I'll be waiting to greet you
Here in heaven is where I will be

There's an unfinished painting on an easel

There's a half burned candle in your room

An empty chair that sits at the table Tears that fall from a bitter sweet tune.

Shake Russell
Michael Hearne

 

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