Story Behind The Song
This is a true story that my friend Shila told me. Her father who was a local farmer in my county, and much admired, was dying of lymphoma. It was an awful, suffering death and his wife burned out from the caretaking. Shila and her siblings took turns caring for him, and at the end they all pulled together. They brought his favorite chair out in the meadow so he could watch his cows graze. Shila brought her guitar out to the meadow and played Joni Mitchell's song "The Circle Game" which was her father's favorite song. Her siblings sang along, and her father died peacefully surrounded by love.
Song Description
The farmer, or father, is dying and his wife has checked out of the process. As Mama mows the lawn, he needs his daughter to play her guitar to him in the meadow as he reclines in his easy chair watching his cows. His children sing to him as he passes away.
| Song Length |
3:34 |
Genre |
Country - Bluegrass, Country - Alternative |
| Tempo |
Medium (111 - 130) |
Lead Vocal |
Female Vocal |
| Mood |
Peaceful, Gracious |
Subject |
Healing, Father |
| Similar Artists |
Alison Krauss, Trisha Yearwood |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
All the family gathered to sing the Circle Song
Shila played her guitar, while her siblings sang along
Pappa listened to his children from his easy chair
The cows grazed in the meadow and angels filled the air
Peace will come to you and yours in time, by and by
There's a better land awaitin' for your daddy in the sky
Shila don't you put your guitar down
Mama's pushing the mower and the boys are milking the cows
Daddy needs his baby more then ever today
He's heading up to heaven and you can help him find the way
Daddy heard the music as he looked out on the hill
He was done with all the doctors, done with all the pills
The good Lord had a plan for him to help out up above
You sent him off with melody, you sent him off with love
Peace will come to you and yours in time, by and by
There's a better land awaiting for your daddy in the sky
Shila don't you put your guitar down
Mama's pushing the mower and the boys are milking the cows
Daddy needs his baby more then ever today
He's heading up to heaven and you can help him find the way
Peace will come to you and yours in time, by and by
There's a better land awaiting for your daddy in the sky
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