2025 Competition Entry:

Before She Went Away (Red Roses) by Jeff Madsen

Genre

Folk

Artist

Co-writer(s)

no

Performer(s)

Jeff Madsen – Acoustic Guitar and Vocals
Steve Dawson – Pedal Steel and Guitars
Fats Kaplin – Fiddle
Mike Bub – Bass
Justin Amaral – Drums

Description

This was a tribute to my mom. It found it’s roots on a Mother’s Day in the rural graveyard where my mom’s ashes are buried. The dandelions were in full bloom and had taken over the grounds. My mom was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in her 40s and spend 10 years in long-term care before passing away at 61. I will always regret that I wasn’t able to help her more. I was never able to forgive my dad for not being more present in her illness. This song is sometimes from my standpoint and sometimes from my dad’s. It’s complicated, just like life is. The song is really about the pain of loss. We have all felt it in one way or another. I think of my mom every day. She visits me sometimes in my dreams. I hear her voice of encouragement when I get down on myself. I think about how she lived a life caring so fully for others, first as a nurse and then as a mom. So thankful that I feel her presence every time I sing this song.

Bio

Lyrics

Wind blows over stone / Where the prairie meets the road
Laid here to rest / Under dandelions’ breath
Red roses, shaky hand / Above her name he stands
Recalling better days / Before she went away
Before she went away

Comes here now and then / When sorrow turns to rain
And thinks about the days / He watched her fade away
Wishes he’d been stronger / That he could have shared the pain
Found the right words to say / Before she went away
Before she went away / Before she went away

He talks with her a while / Remembers her smile / Takes him away
The wind in his hair / Her breath in the air / A moment of grace

Driving home again / Endless waves of grain
Wipes a tear from his eye / With the humming of the tires
Time it heals all pain / At least that’s what they say
Memories fade to grey / Of before she went away
Before she went away / Before she went away

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  1. A great professionally produced track (Album) in the home of Country Music Nashville – not sure why this isn’t in the Country Section – I guess it’s the writers choice 🤔