Story Behind The Song

A true story based on my friendship with Jim and Helen Wilson. She had alziemers and asked Jim to take her life. He agreed and took his also because he could not live without his lifelong love.

Song Description

flute, vocal, and piano with a shaker for percussion. this song is ABC in form

Lyrics

Not long ago


I lost some friends not long ago
they were so kind to me
They were the best of friends
from Chi ca go
This is our History

I met them both of them
in Sunday school
Back in ?84

They preached of love
and forgiveness too
it was hard to ignore

The message they shared
hit home to me
make love and not war

I found these friends
whom I?ve come to love
and know
lovers of life were they

this true story about my friends
I share it with you today

When I was 18
I spent that summer
tending their farm

They took the time
to teach about life
and stay away from harm

They shared all they had
They taught good from bad
No cause for alarm

Memories of Jim and Helen
I cherish from my past
They were two people that cared for me
I knew it couldn?t last

It?s been a few years
I haven?t heard from them
for a little while
This time has passed
and memories of them
they make me smile

I remember their laughter
the smells of the farm
their class and their style

My own Dad and I
did not see eye to eye
time they say it heals all wounds

After a while he called to say Hi
and filled me with hometown news

The telephone rang
I picked up the phone and
my Dad carried on

He said to me
?Oh, by the way, Jim and Helen
passed on?.

At 74
they couldn't take it no more
I cried like a son

Memories of Jim and Helen
I cherish from my past
This painful time was almost too much for me
I hoped it wouldn?t last

How could both of them die
at the same time
oh what a tragedy

Little did I know
until they found a written note
describing the unforseen

there were some times
when Helen could not
remember her name

and when she could
she said to Jim I can?t live this way
so Jim to his gun, the car and Helen
and retired their pain.