Story Behind The Song

Reflecting on my personal and professional experiences in palliative care over my career as a psychologist, son, friend to many through the dying process. How deeply personal and unique the process is for each individual and how it affects those of us providing care - often over the very long term, lifetimes even!

Song Description

The dying process is fraught with difficulties, not the least of which is fear. Sometimes, pain is mitigated with stories, and going across the sea ... taking a journey often works to ease suffering during the worst moments of the process.

Lyrics

Billy (Reprise)
© Bruce Mills 20051 (ASCAP)

Billy - will you ever go to sea?
Will you cross the ocean wide?
Will your path the stars decide?
Could I come and be your guide

Billy - will you ever go to sea?
Leave memories behind and follow me?
If we sail tonight - the rising tide
Will take us safely to the other side

Billy - will you ever go to sea?
Will you ever walk a beach of golden sand?
Will you speak the words of distant lands?
Will you ever learn the dance?

Billy - will you come along?
Listen to the mermaid song?
Do the whales down in the deep
Shake the earth beneath your feet?

Chorus:
Billy, wipe away those tears
Nothing can bring back the years
Time is here and stories told -
Time is come to let your anchor go

Billy - will you ever go to sea?
Leave memories behind and follow me?
If we sail tonight - the rising tide
Will take us safely to the other side

Cold and salty winds
Will wash away your unforgiven sins
What could be the secret you keep?
I'm singing you a lullaby to sleep -

Instruments

Chorus:
Billy, wipe away those tears
Nothing can bring back the years
Time is here and stories told
Time is come to let your anchor go

The sea - she is a lost and lonely soul
Her legends and rumours bold
But your memories she'll keep -
Knowing you soon will be -
Sailing on her waves toward the sun
When the day is nearly done
Billy, come along and sail with me
Billy, come along and sail with me