One more song (Cowboy)

A last farewell to my beloved uncle

One more song,
let us hear you play.
One more song,
please sing for one more day.
Don't spread your wings just yet,
please don't fly away.
Tonight we long to hear just one more song.

The angles took you far from us
thay took you to that open range.
To ride through heavens gates
and across that lovely, endless plain.
So tonight I look up and see
your shadow fly across the moon.
My heart breaks as I cry out,
they took you far too soon.

As you settle in, I know
that you found happiness.
and for each day I had I'm thankful.
Each moment truly blessed.
I know that you've no sorrow
and I know that you've no pain.
But where you once brought joy
is an empty void of pain.

One more song,
let us hear you play.
One more song,
please sing for one more day.
Don't spread your wings just yet,
please don't fly away.
Tonight we long to hear just one more song.

There's an empty seat by the fire
where you used to end the day,
telling stories that would thrill us
to help pass the time away.
The banjo strings you plucked
and the rhythm of your bones
leave a echoing silence
in the hollow of our home.

And as I drift away to slumber
and the tears still fall
I can hear across the twilight
your voice's melodic call.
I can hear the strains of music
as your new song begins.
A cowboy among angles
as you're riding once again.

One more song,
let us hear you play.
One more song,
please sing for one more day.
Don't spread your wings just yet,
please don't fly away.
Tonight we long to hear just one more song.

A cowboy among angles
you'll never tire from the ride.
And when the day is over,
warmth and comfort is inside
of a parlor with the others
who have before you journeyed on.
You will pick with kindred spirits
as your memories live on.

Though tonight we mourn your passing
and our hearts are pained and dark.
We will always remember your smile,
you were a candle in the dark.
And we know you'll be there waiting,
with a song and tale to share
when its our time to find greener pastures,
we know you'll be waiting there.

One more song,
let us hear you play.
One more song,
please sing for one more day.
Don't spread your wings just yet,
please don't fly away.
Tonight we long to hear just one more song.

One more story,
tell us one more tale.
One more ballad
in that voice we know so well.
One more rhythm,
time kept on rattlin' bones,
One more song
before they call you home.

Author's Note

Today it is with a heavy heart that I say farewell to my dear uncle. I wrote this song to say goodbye.

He was a wonderful man, a classic Texian Cowboy, a banjo picker, a story teller, a man who lived with grace and was loved by all who knew him.
He played the bones in a way that no one could match.
He whispered to the horses, and I know they whispered back.
He was the kind of man where a handshake was stronger then any bond.
He was everything a cowboy should be, and so much more.

I beg you to keep his family in your hearts. The woman he loved is alone tonight. His children are staring at an empty seat, and we are all finding our world a little darker, despite there being one more star up in the sky.

This song is my goodbye, my thank you to a man who was always there with a smile, encouragement, and some good old Texian advice.


(Texian is a word, though it is almost never seen. It refers to native Texans, not as in born in Texas, but as in their family has been in Texas from the start. And he was one of the last of the True Texians, a culture that, sadly, is dying.)

Reviews

[Kreative Kana]

Beautiful. That's all I can say...
Thank you so much for entering this in my contest, Kitalia (lovely name!).

[Sanjh]

It's so beautiful Kitalia, a perfect tribute. My condolences, it's a wonderful message to a person so dear.
Thank you for sharing, I really liked it...

[Kitalia Emme]

Thank you so much.

[Confuser]

This is a absolutely beautiful tribute and a fabulous write. Oh I really loved it and I KNOW he does too. You should be proud. I love it. Thank you -Wonderful. I want to come back and read it again.

[Kitalia Emme]

Thank you so much. There seem to be a lack of words to describe how much it means to see that people enjoy what little I have left of him to treasure, as much as he was treasured by all who knew him. This is my way of granting immortality, A way that they can always live on.

[Confuser]

Oh, if I didn't I'm going to put it in my library for later reading. I love, love, love it! BRAVO!

[Kitalia Emme]

Thank you so very much.

[R Smith]

This is a beautiful tribute to your uncle Kitalia, my condolences for your loss and sorrow in his passing, be assured he will be singing in heaven and this poem which is so much like a song is maybe one he could put music to and sing for you :)

[Kitalia Emme]

Perhaps. Perhaps.
Thank you. He was an amazing man.