My father succumbed to lung cancer in 2007. Setting this poem helped me
through the grieving process. Bill Merideth was not a musician by trade, but did
enjoy playing the guitar every now and again. The accompaniment found in the
opening section represents some of the chords that he would strum in his recliner
after a hard week of work.
As the piece progresses, the accompaniment becomes more complex representing
the extensive chemotherapy that may have extended my father's life, but certainly
changed him. Finally, as the text brings us closer to death in the final stanza, the
accompaniment is now absent, representing my father's last days in hospice where
he could no longer care for himself.
I certainly believe in the healing power of music and hope that this setting brings
comfort and peace to you as it continues to do so for me.

Please feel free to share your experiences with this piece at tylermerideth.com.

Tyler