They Will Be ThereThis song, based on real-life experiences, reflects upon the sad reality of death and yet the somehow comforting thought that at our death those who loved us will be there to farewell us. They Will Be There was inspired by a tragic experience at Castlepoint lagoon on Friday afternoon, December 29, 2006. Andre relates how the song developed and explains what moved him to pen its poignant lyrics:
“My family and I were playing together in the sand some metres away from the scene at water’s edge where a man named Rob had apparently suffered a heart attack. Family members and others were trying to revive him and urging him not to give up. Sadly, all attempts to resuscitate him failed and he was pronounced dead by ambulance personnel. The scene was made more poignant by the mournful wailing of his wife and the calls by sons and daughters to their children to come and farewell their granddad. “The chorus of this song employs metaphors (’nighttime,’ ‘sleep’) to describe death’s arrival, and is about family and loved ones coming to say their farewells, even though the one who has died is unaware because of being unconscious in death, as was the case above. I remember thinking at the time that as sad as the situation was, family members would in future look back with some sense of closure and be glad that they were with him at the time. The final phrase of the chorus reflects this sense of closure and was chosen as the title of the song. “The second verse addresses the painful memory of my mother-in-law's sudden death, which resurfaced in our minds following this experience. While her daughters managed to say goodbye to her before she passed away, I arrived too late, and this is reflected in the last two lines of this verse. “The third and final verse acknowledges the reality of death’s often unexpected impact on the lives of all whom it touches, while reassuring those with faith in the Bible promise of a resurrection of dead loved ones to a paradise earth (‘earth’s new morning’).” The mp3 recording currently available is only a draft demo recording produced for submission into songwriting competitions. Click on the link below to listen to the recording. Reviews and Awards“André, the song is absolutely beautiful. You have fantastic craftmanship.”
— Glyn MacLean, Songwriter, NZ “You have been selected as Runner Up in the December 2006 round of the Song of the Year song and lyric competition. Song of the Year receives entries from all over the world and only the top entries achieve this status. Congratulations on your great songwriting!” — Jennifer Fowler, Song of the Year, Texas, USA Emotional impact (Strong): “They Will Be There is an enthralling and captivating song. It grabs the attention from the first lines. Structure, arrangement, and direction tie very well and create a unique experience for the reader. This is a chilling description of a harrowing experience that you have told vividly.” Technical evaluation (Excellent): “The song’s true emotion makes you feel familiar with every line of the profound lyrics and makes you find personal meaning in every word. The composition is saturated with emotions that reach the heart and stay there after the final words fade away.” Marketability (Excellent): “Great work! It is compelling from title to the last line!” — Professional Critique Service, Song of the Year, USA |
Awards2006 Song of the Year Runner Up Award
"THEY WILL BE THERE"
I saw a man who died today We were playing in the sand A shadow fell across the bay There was something wrong at hand The way the people gathered round A figure lying prone Told me this man was not about To be left to die alone When nighttime falls and sleep has come Even though you’re not aware The ones who loved you in your life will come They will be there Two years ago we lost someone A mother and a friend She wasn’t well but no one was Prepared for her life’s end We rallied to the hospital And gathered round her bed I was too late to say goodbye And other things unsaid When nighttime falls and sleep has come Even though you’re not aware The ones who loved you in your life will come They will be there When tragedy takes loved ones From beyond our tender grasp So many have their questions And the things they want to ask One day in earth’s new morning A different sound will touch the air We’ll hear the voice of our loved ones And, yes, they will be there Though nighttime falls and sleep has come Even though they’re not aware The ones we loved throughout their life will come They will be there Though nighttime falls and sleep has come Even though they’re not aware The ones we loved throughout their life will come They will be there Words and music copyright © 2006 Andre Mendes da Costa Piano, vocals, backing instrumentation: Andre Mendes da Costa |
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