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Helloooo. Anybody out there?

Got the inspiration to write this after hearing of a tragic news story about a deadly home invasion. The title comes from something a young boy said at his father's funeral. Probably a couple lines in here that aren't quite as eloquent as they could be. Would love your comments.

I Will Be The Man
© 2010 Greg C. Brown

Family and friends had all gathered
To say goodbye one final time.
The choir sang Amazing Grace,
The preacher spoke some verse and prayed,
Lord, please forgive us all for being blind.

Then his young son stood up
On that sad and mournful day.
His face belied his fourteen years
As he was heard to say…

CHORUS
I will be the man my father was,
Honest and good and brave,
Taking the lessons he gave to me
And giving them back in spades.
Standing by his grave, for now I’ll weep,
But I will be the man he taught me how to be.

That morning had crept in cloudy
And the rain seemed to mock the day.
But when the child had said his piece,
The air was filled with calm relief,
And a bright blue sky of hope replaced the gray.

When his young son stood up
On that sad and mournful day,
We watched him turn into a man
When we all heard him say…

CHORUS
I will be the man my father was,
Honest and good and brave,
Taking the lessons he gave to me
And giving them back in spades.
Forgiveness for those who took him from me,
I will be the man he taught me how to be.

BRIDGE
Taken away before his work was done,
His legacy is in the hands of his loving son.
And he said…

CHORUS
I will be the man my father was,
Honest and good and brave,
Taking the lessons he gave to me
And giving them back in spades.
Standing by his grave, for now I’ll weep,
But I will be the man he taught me how to be.

Hi Greg,

You know, I was just at my son in laws grandmothers funeral a couple of weeks ago. It led me to writing a song with Jan called ever near( I was originally going to call it Guardian angel). I believe when a song is about something that actually happened-it really rings true. You have a master piece here. My only question--and I know it's me not the song--I don't get the line "and giving then back in spades". I'm not sure what you mean--but again, I'm sure it's me. I can basically read those lyrics and picture the young son in front of everyone saying those words--like I was there. A the funeral I was at, one of the daughters stood up for 15 minutes and gave one of the most beautiful eulogies I have ever heard. I did n't know the woman who dies that well, but by the time she finished I felt like I knew the woman. Same with the son growing up right before the group. Excellent song. One other point--I hear that Nashville wants people to write about reality--but only happy songs. That no-one want to hear sad songs. I totally disagree,. Reality is about happy and more often sad. A song done with class like this one will always be a hit in my mind. great job,
Roger

Hey Roger, thanks for taking a few minutes to look this one over. It seemed to have stalled on the board, so I appreciate you giving it a nudge.

I agree with you about a song being what it is, whether it's a happy one, or one that's not so happy. I've also heard that the Nashville machine only wants positive, happy, up beat songs. Although my lyric revolves around a sad situation, I think the young boy's declaration to be like his father shows a very positive and determined attitude despite the somber occasion.

The line "giving them back in spades," refers to an expression that people sometimes use to talk about an abundance of something. My idea there was to show that the son would take all the lessons he learned from his father and share them with others. Not sure if that idea came across clearly.

I'm glad this lyric resonated so well with you. Hopefully, I'll get a few more comments. Take care.

Greg

Well Thank You Roger for bringing this up to the top. I missed it somehow.

This is a very good write Greg
I was caught up in the story from the beginning as I lost my Dad at age 6. If I was old enough to say a eulogy I believe it would have been real close to what you have written.
Your term of "Giving it back in spades" is a familiar term up here in Canada and it made perfect sense with your lyric.

Thanks Big Time for This.

Cheers

Ken

Hi Greg,

You most definitely brought bout a positive attitude with this song. And thank you for explaining the giving them back in spades--as I said it was more me than the song. Obviously other people picked up on it--and it was very relevant. See I learned something new today. Lol. Thanks for that. Keep up the awesome work,
Roger

Ken,

Thanks for the visit and the kind words. I'm glad it appealed to you in such a positive way. Thanks, also, for the validation of the "in spades" term. I was hoping it wasn't too obscure for people to get my intent.

I appreciate the feedback and enthusiasm!

Greg

Greg--

Sad, but kind of powerful in meaning--wonder how many 14 year olds today would do the same?

Write on BRO'--

Mackie

Hi Mackie.

Thanks for checking this out. I didn't hear the actual eulogy, so I can only imagine that it went something like what I've writtne. I like to think I've at least come close.

Appreciate the visit!

Greg

Greg,
you've made a hero out of great loss. That's the part of the story people feel good about.

Have fun,
John

Thanks, John. That's what I was hoping to accomplish. I appreciate the validation.

Greg

Hey Greg,

I meant to comment on this last over the weekend but got lost in other things. This is a really great write - the story is touching and even though it's sad, the message is positive. This works for me just the way it is.

Heather

Greg....I had e-mailed you my thoughts on this beautiful, poignant and heartfelt lyric and spoke of how I felt that you could use it in the future. I hope you follow through on that.

More folks need to read the message here....just filled with emotion.

Great job....this one was hard to write....but easy to feel for you, I'm sure.

Jan

Greg. The whole lyric flows for me without a hic-up.

It got me, held, me and then let me go right at the end thinking.. wow.

God Bless Roy and Helen

Heather,

Thank you so much. I'm thrilled this works for you like it is. I appreciate you looking it over.

Greg

Ahhh, Jan, one of my biggest cheerleaders!!

You know how much your support and encouragement mean to me. If I can get this one musicated, I may very well follow through with your suggestion.

Thanks!!

Greg

Hi Roy (and Helen).

Thank you for saying that. It really means a lot to me knowing that I was able to connect with this lyric.

"Wow" says so much. Thanks again!

Greg