Story Behind The Song

When I was 16, I witnessed 4 teenagers killed right in front of me after being hit head on by a drunk driver. I was in the car right behind them, so it could have just as easily have been me that was killed had my car been in front of theirs instead of the other way around. I have been haunted by this senseless event ever since and I believe that experience was what led me to write a song like "I Wasn't A Friend". The song has been embraced by noted drunk driving organizations such as MADD and RADD and I have received many grateful letters from those who have lost loved ones to a drunk driver for writing a song that seeks to inspire people not to ever let themselves and their friends get into the situation detailed in the song.

Song Description

This song is written from the first person perspective of the anguish and guilt felt upon learning a friend died in a drunk driving accident and the stark realization that it could have easily been prevented if the keys were just taken away and the friend wasn't allowed to drive. This is a scenario that plays out all too often where people don't take enough responsibility for making sure their friends are sober enough to drive home after leaving bars, parties, etc. and I wrote this song as a "cautionary tale" not to let this happen to a friend you love.

Lyrics

"I Wasn't A Friend"
(Words & Music by Lynn Carey Saylor (c)Guitar Girls Dotcom Publishing, BMI)

This is a mistake
This is not some pre-ordained fate
You should be here
Instead of an endless ocean of tears

(Chorus)
If I could turn back just one day
I'd give anything to make it that way
I'd take the keys from your hand and I'd make sure you stayed
Instead I let you drive away
I wasn't a friend yesterday

I don't understand
How I let this happen to you
No one will forget
Your life will matter
this message they'll get

(Chorus)
If I could turn back just one day
I'd give anything to make it that way
I'd take the keys from your hand and I'd make sure you stayed
Instead I let you drive away
I wasn't a friend yesterday

(Bridge)
There won't be the good old days
Or your grown kids to praise
I can't make friends with grief
I dont know how I will find relief

(Chorus)
If I could turn back just one day
I'd give anything to make it that way
I'd take the keys from your hand and I'd make sure you stayed
If I could turn back just one day
I'd give anything to make it that way
I'd take the keys from your hand and I'd make sure you stayed
Instead I let you drive away
I wasn't a friend yesterday