Story Behind The Song
My wife (Brandy) saw this story on the Today Show in November of 2007. When I cam home from work that day she told me about it. The story was in regards to Sandra Day O'Conor and her husband John. Though the storyline of Reed & Betty is somewhat different, the song was inspiried from that episode off of the Today Show. I took my lyrics to Bill Terry a few days later and we recorded the first Demo! The rest is history. I pray that someday this song can help in someway to fund The Fight against Alzheimer's. Be sure to look for the CD "The Fight" which I created and am currently promoting. Also, look for the book Reed & Betty which I wrote from the inspiration of this song. TB
Song Description
After nearly 60 years of marriage Reed Masterson begins to suffer with Alzheimer's. Betty, his wife, has tried her best to tend to her husbands needs, but the time has come when a nursing home is required. Betty will not leave Reed's side. On the morning of the second day at the nursing home a young caregiver who's about 19 walks into Reed's room, and when he see's her, his face lights up. She strikes a remarkable resemblance to Betty when she was about 19. At first Betty does not know what is going on, watching her husband of nearly 60 years act like he's now in love with this young caregiver. The doctor explains to Betty that in Reed's mind he's probably around 20 years of age again, and he thinks the young cargiver is in fact Betty. The Betty he first fell in love with back in 1943. It is so tough on Betty to see Reed look at her and not know who she is. However, deep inside her heart she knows that Reed is thinking of nothing but her from another time and place. Reed is having the chance to fall in love again with Betty nearly 60 years after they married. This song is in Honor of my Mother (Mrs. Bedia Black) who has suffered with Alzheimer's since 1995. Mom has been bed ridden and not spoken a word in over six years. "I love you Mom, one day we will win The Fight!"
| Song Length |
4:10 |
Genre |
Country - General, Country - Religious |
| Tempo |
Slow (71 - 90) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Moving, Endearing |
Subject |
Loving Marriage, Relationship |
| Similar Artists |
Garth Brooks, Kenny Rogers |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
Reed & Betty they've been maried nearly 60 years
But in the last 10 months or so, he's forgotten who she is
So a week ago the family
Decided it was time
He needed more assistance
Than Betty could provide
It's almost like he's 20 with all the things he says
Talks about ole Roosevelt
Like he's still President
Now two days at the nursing home he's found somebody new
But the doctor promised Betty
He thinks she's you.
(Chorus)
Cause there's a young caregiver who's about 19
And he swears that she's the one
Says their gettng married soon as this old war is won!
Now each passing day makes Betty long for 1943
Cause that's where Reed is
And she's about 19...
The hands of time have robbed his mind
But not his memories
And its so tough on Betty
Especially when he sees
Her crying like a baby
ANd says, "Mam, is something wrong?"
Even though he's right beside her, Reed's already gone
(Repeat Chorus)
(TAG)
Yea, each passing day Ms. Betty
Longs for 1943
Cause that's where Reed is
And she's about 19
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