Story Behind The Song
I wrote this song, Dear Hope, on Monday, October 2, 2017, after watching continuous coverage of the Las Vegas shootings. All I kept thinking was... why does this kept happening? I prayed. I prayed for the victims and the families of all of these shootings and terror attacks... My mind jumped around as I thought about Orlando! Sandy Hook ELEMENTARY SCHOOL! San Bernadino! a church in Charleston SC! the Boston Marathon! a Planned Parenthood Clinic in Colorado Springs! Ft. Hood! a Navy Yard in Washington DC! a temple in Oak Creek WI! a movie theatre in Aurora CO! Virginia Tech! Columbine!
I couldn't... I can't understand why this keeps happening. Did we learn NOTHING from these tragedies?
Since I wrote and recorded Dear Hope, our country is still reacting to the most recent acts of terror, anger and hate: the Sutherland Springs TX church shooting, and the NYC bike path terror attack. The violence and acts of hate continue.
As I watched media coverage of the events as they unfolded, the days that followed, the vigils, prayer services, news conferences... my head and heart went back to 9/11. My brother-in-law Michael Sorresse died in the World Trade Center. So any "mass tragedy" triggers these mixed feelings of anger, sadness, despair, hopelessness and more.
But I continue to hold onto Hope, Faith, Love, even when some days are more difficult than others.
Song Description
my response to all the acts of terror and mass tragedies happening in the world
| Song Length |
4:57 |
Genre |
Folk - Americana, Unique - Unclassified |
| Tempo |
Slow (71 - 90) |
Lead Vocal |
Female Vocal |
| Mood |
Peaceful, Moving |
Subject |
General, Life |
| Similar Artists |
Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
Dear Hope - music & lyrics by Carolyn Messina
Dear Hope,
Where have you gone?
You promised you would never leave me for that long.
Dear Hope,
I thought you cared.
Why am I so overcome with anger and despair?
Dear Hope. Dear Hope.
Dear Peace,
I need you now.
It seems my world was just turned upside down.
Dear Peace,
Come rest in me.
I don't think that I can handle one more tragedy
Dear Peace. Dear. Peace
Lay your burdens down.
Lay them on the ground.
On our knees we pray that tomorrow will be a better day.
We pray. We pray.
Dear God,
Where did you go?
It feels like I've been left here on my own.
Dear God,
What can I do?
I wonder if you're crying up there too.
Dear God. Dear God.
Lay your burdens down.
Lay them on the ground.
On our knees we pray that tomorrow will be a better day.
We pray. We pray.
Dear Love,
Please hold on.
There's violence and hate we need to overcome.
Dear Love,
I hope you're strong.
Giving and receiving you is how we carry on.
Dear Love, Dear Hope, Dear Peace, Dear God.