Her First Then Him

[Ray Brookes]

He brushes her hair
Bathes her every night
All she does is stare
From her darkness into his light
Seventy-five years
Now she can't stand or walk
He sees her shedding tears
But she can't laugh or talk

Their future in doubt
Takes care of her personal stuff
Puts the food to her mouth
Always knows when she's had enough
Her meals on a tray
Tea cooled by careful blowing
Dresses her every day
In her favourite clothing

Her senses to unravel
Her mind to unblock
He'd strangle an angel
To turn back the clock

He speaks at her pace
He knows she is listening
He makes up her face
Though no-one is visiting
He looks at the vials
The eyes begin to brim
Tears on the bathroom tiles
Her first then him.

[Farrell Jackson]

A beautifully, sad song Ray. A lyrical subject that is all too real as we grow closer to the end. There's a lot of emotion in your vocal and the musical score. Well done!

[Ron D Bowes]

Sad stuff. The strings give it a slight Beatles' feel. Builds nicely. Excellent lyrics as always.

[TPB]

sad song but all to familiar as some of us are on the down hill side of life I lost my Mother, Father inlaw and my dog this year so this song hits home
Tim

[Mike_S]

Beautiful song Ray. Yes these lyrics are really powerful. I just had a visit to an aunt in a care home at the weekend... it was pretty sad. But you have managed to conjure great beauty from a sad situation in your song. Great song.

Mike

[Johnbee]

Sad and touching.  Too bad we have to all get old.
  John B

[Trist]

Very different musically to your normal stuff this one with the keyboard etc, a very sad and descriptive song. performed and recorded eloquently for the subject, specially liked that ending

[StephenM]

that keyboard that comes in at 1:45...wow...so big and bold!
the strings are lovely.  The progression... makes a great backdrop for the difficult yet beautiful subject.... more amazing work Ray, all of it..

[Bishmanrock]

Crikey, that's a heavy track. Lyrics are great, love the build of the strings (those initial strings don't half sound sinister!), some lovely piano parts, and the overall track progression and vocal delivery are excellent. Great work.

[Mike Huntingford]

Okay, wiping away tears as I hit play again and start to type. Where to begin?

The opening Cellos and Violas are remarkable.... sets that mood straight off! That chord and key change is deep feeling.  The transition to bass, strings, percussion, etc... amazingly wonderful transition to yet another level of emotion. The chorus takes you a step further to what you're suspecting will occur. The solo violin, the lone piano with symbol along with your carefully crafted vocals and lyrics and build with percussion, strings, piano.... the vials... oh my... the Cello and distant harmonica.... WOW

I am blown away. This is mastercraft composition skills. Ray this is remarkable.

Wow Sir - remarkable!  This could easily be translated to Broadway!

Mike