Old Billy Fly
I worked as a domiciliary carer and a carer for realtives so this song is based on true stories of those losing loved ones to dementia:
Day after day – the lines crawl across his face
Memories keep him warm – by the unlit fireplace
The bills lie in the hallway – as the bailiffs come and go
The shadows at his front gate – always stop to say hello.
He doesn’t know what to say
His words set sail and drift away
So he smiles and nods his head
At all the things he could have said.
Until at last the children cry:
“Cross my heart and hope to die
Our mothers taught us not to lie
But today’s the day we saw Old Billy fly.”
Well, the town got its bypass – and another round his heart
He’s standing on the landing – feeling torn apart
So he walks into her bedroom – to see what he can do
But she screeches like an owl: “just who the hell are you?”
So Billy cries and goes downstairs
To rearrange the kitchen chairs
As there’s nothing new on his TV
He makes her carers cups of tea.
Until at last the children cry:
“He kissed the girls and made them sigh
Our mothers just won’t let this lie
But today’s the day we saw Old Billy fly.”
[He leafs through the old photo albums
as an odd melody plays softly on the radio
it stirs a memory steeped in sepia:
… she laughed as they danced to the Wurlitzer
on Brighton Pier…. a kiss… ]
So he smiles and locks the door
And takes the lift to the thirteenth floor
Somewhere a blackbird sings
He feels the wind rise beneath his wings.
Until at last the children cry:
“We seen Billy touch the sky
But our mothers taught us not to lie
‘cause today’s the day we saw Old Billy fly.”
(c) Paul D E Mitchell 2016 PRS Registered and Protected
Hi Mitch,
My goosepimples came out all over, a sure sign of having been deeply affected. I am aware of the terrible pain of dealing with someone with Altzeimers. The arrangement, the chorus, pure genius.
My fav one of yours to date. just fab writing!
One for the antholgy. and into favs
WO x
Loved the audio!
Hi Alison – I am so happy to have pimpled your goose. Thanks for your kind words – strength is poetry and song lies in truth and first-hand experience: look at how the blues evolved. Howlz. Mitch
This is excellent. Loved the audio. It seemed very John Lennon to me. And I love John Lennon. Nice work old bean!
Fantastic song and superb execution. Loved it to bits, Mitch.
Luigi
Thanks Luigi = your kind words are deeply appreciated. Mitch
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Thanks Jay12! Glad you liked it. To be likened to my hero is such a buzz, old bean! Mitch