Story Behind The Song

It happens every year around this time - I get that melancholy feeling - wondering where we would be if things had been different. This year would have been our thirty-somethingth wedding anniversary... but then I am reminded once again of the goodness and mercy of God who has turned my mourning into dancing - restoring the joy of my soul. My heart swells with gratitude for the beautiful help-mate that I have the privilege of waking up to each morning - and just for a moment I feel a slight pang of guilt for never having fully "gotten over" the first Love of my life. That is when the still, small voice of the Spirit of God reminds me that His word says "love never comes to an end". And then I think how inadequate is the implication of the traditional wedding vows which state - I promise to love and cherish you from this day forward until death do us part. No - death does not bring love to an end - it only serves to heighten the anticipation of the Great Reunion that will surely take place in the not-too-distant future.

Lyrics

Once I promised you that I would always love you
Only death could separate us for a while
And I couldn't have loved you any more than I did
Every time I would capture your riveting smile


After so many years - through the sunshine and rain
I remember all the good times we had
And your radiant face still appears in my mind
Like it did even when times were bad

When they told me that soon we'd be saying good-bye
I was sure that I could never go on
But you said I must never keep holding to you
That I must keep on living even when you were gone

Now I'm thankful for the Help-mate He's given to me
Both of you would have been best of friends
I've been blessed with the way things have happened - but still
I can't ever forget you 'cause love never ends

After so many years - through the sunshine and rain
Your name still comes to mind now and then
And my promise to love you 'til death do us part
Didn't figure that love never ends
(I'll always love you - because love never ends)