Story Behind The Song

Matt and I both had parents with dementia and we wanted to write about it.

Song Description

A man is diagnosed with Alzheimer's and the story is told through his son's eyes as he declines.

Lyrics

Wings
v.1
He stares blankly at the wall, runs his fingers through his hair
Dad is talking once again to Mom, who isn't there
'Cause Mama passed away last Spring, and soon Dad lost his mind
When the doctor gave the test results, we both broke down and cried
(Chorus)
(He told us) Somewhere down this road of life there will come a time
When he won't know your name or recognize your face
And you'll need strength and courage 'til the day you say goodbye
When it happens, try to love him patiently
'Til his wings can set him free
v.2
So today's the dark tomorrow that ends all yesterdays
Mindless, blindly living life, I'll help him through the haze
I take his hand and talk of times vanished from his memory
And pray his mind can't comprehend the pain inside of me
(Chorus)
('Cause I know) Somewhere down this road of life soon will come a time
When he won't know my name or recognize my face
And I'll need strength and courage 'til the day we say goodbye
As it happens I will love him patiently
'Til his wings can set him free
(Bridge)
Someday he'll take mom's hand at heaven's door
And he won't have to suffer any more
(Chorus)
Somewhere down this road of life, there will come a time
When he'll know my name again and recognize my face
And I'll have comfort knowing he's with God eternally
'Cause his wings have set him free,
His wings have set him free

© 2008, Matt Dorman/Betty Holt