Story Behind The Song

My father, a military man, was kidnapped by communist insurgents in the Philippines. A week after he disappeared, his body was found in the river, with hands and feet still tied with heavy ropes and three gunshot wounds to the head. He was forty years old. I was thirteen at the time, one of his eight children, with ages ranging from two years to eighteen. My mother had no job prospects in our small town. But with courage, determination and a lot of sacrifices, she was able to guide all her children to achieve their father's goal: their college education. My father's death happened a long time ago. But the memories and the pain keep coming back everytime I hear news that another American soldier had been killed in Iraq or anywhere else. I feel profound sorrow for our military men and women and their families. To the fallen hero, the war is over. To the ones left behind, the battle has just begun. They will have to live through the loss of a loved one; go through varied emotions from pride, grief, loneliness and despair. To have the determination to survive is to honor our heroes. To preserve their legacy is to honor them more. My goal is to have this song published and with part of the proceeds, establish an educational scholarship fund for families of the military, police and firefighters killed or disabled in the line of duty. Inspite of numerous obstacles, my siblings and I were able to attain our father's goal of a college education for all of us. I want to help others achieve this goal.

Song Description

This song is a tribute to heroes and all of us left behind when our heroes fall. It tells of the whole range of emotions that survivors go through: grief, pride, love, loneliness, desperation, hope and determination.

Lyrics

YOU ARE A HERO
Words and Music by Ellen T. Gore
Copyright 2004

You are a hero, they all say.
They brought you flowers and they sang you songs of praise.
For freedom's sake, you paid the price;
the greatest gift...you gave your life.
Amidst the sorrow and the tears,
my grieving heart was filled with pride.

But when all is said and done;
when all the lovely, glorious words are gone;
I face the darkest night, without you by my side.
I never will be free from all our dreams that will never be.
You sacrificed for all.
You answered when your duty called.
Now, you are gone, I feel so all alone...
without you, how can I go on?

You are my hero, yes, I'll say
you brought me happiness and filled my life with love.
For freedom's sake, you paid the price;
the greatest gift... you gave your life.
Amidst the sorrow and the tears,
my grieving heart was filled with pride.

But when all is said and done;
when all the petals have fallen on the ground;
I face the darkest life, without you by my side.
I never will be free from this emptiness you left in me.
You sacrificed for all.
You answered when your duty called.
Now, you are gone, I feel so all alone...
without you, how can I go on?

You sacrificed for all.
You answered when your duty called.
Now, you are gone, I need to tell the world:
The freedom that's worth fighting for
is freedom that's worth living for.
To honor you, I must go on.
To honor you, I must go on.