Story Behind The Song
Inspiration came from a story about an old man who faithfully visits his wife in the nursing home as she is suffering from Alzheimers. He's asked how painful it must be to visit his wife when she no longer knows who he is. His response was "I know my wife no longer knows who I am but I keep coming to see her because I know who she is."
Song Description
I think most song writers have this small inner voice that keeps asking: "What have you written lately?" I would like to share my answer to that question. I felt compelled to write this song because I'm hoping that in some small way I can shed some light on or bring attention to what I believe to be the most heinous disease known to mankind. No, I'm not talking about Covid-19 but rather Alzheimers. Inspiration for the song came from a story I recently heard about an old man who faithfully goes to the nursing home daily to spend time with his wife who suffers from the disease. The old man was asked how painful it must be to see his wife daily when she does not know him anymore. HIs response is priceless. He said "It's true my wife no longer knows who I am, but I keep coming to see her because I know who she is." I know I heard the story several years ago but it never really grabbed me until now. What I heard was not only a possible song hook but more important a beautiful way to say I love you without speaking the words. Thanks for listening.
Gary Lee Ireland
| Song Length |
3:54 |
Genre |
Country - Contemporary, Country - Contemporary |
| Tempo |
Medium Slow (91 - 110) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Depressing, Endearing |
Subject |
Sadness, Loving Marriage |
| Language |
English |
Era |
2000 and later |
Lyrics
HE KNOWS WHO SHE IS
1) He comes to see her every morning
At the home where she now stays
He prays that she'll remember
That he was there just yesterday
A lifetime spent together
She had such love to give
But today she doesn't know him
But he knows who she is
2) When he visits her each morning
He helps her ready for the day
He prays that she'll remember
His name from yesterday
Nearly sixty years together
and its all come down to this
She smiles but can't remember him
But he knows who she is
CHORUS:
She never missed a birthday
She celebrated every one
Family life to her was everything
She was filled with so much love
But her life today seems empty
She has no more to give
He cries when he has to leave her
Because he knows who she is
3) He tells her that he loves her
Holds her hand that she might know
But she just smiles and does not speak
When it's time for him to go
He will see her in the morning
What a cruel life to live
She won't remember yesterday
But he knows who she is
BRIDGE:
He keeps coming back to see
For the life she chose to live
He wouldn't miss a single day
Because he knows who she is
REPEAT CHORUS
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