Babe

by Michael S. Ryan

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about

My wife's grandmother was dying. She had dementia. While care-taking for her, we were awaken in the middle of the night by her singing. She continually sang "I went down to the water", again and again. She passed away a few days later. I took her words and the melody she sang and turned it into a song. A song about death. A song about leaving this world behind and crossing over. A song about going to find her daughter Nancy who passed away 6 years earlier. It's a tribute to the sound of the songs that she - "Babe" - grew up listening to in the 40's.
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lyrics

I went down to the water to see what I could find
There I found my daughter ‘cause she was on my mind
She told me I should join her and be there all the time
I wrapped my arms around her and said that sounds just fine

I went down to the water to see what I could find
There I found a cardinal wading in the pines
He told me I should join him and fly into the night
I reached my hands towards him and said that sounds just fine

I went down to the water
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credits

released August 30, 2019
Michael S. Ryan - Vocals, guitars, piano, synth

Written by Michael S. Ryan and Babe Rayfuse
Engineered, Produced and Mixed by Michael S. Ryan

Mastered by J. LaPointe @ Archive Mastering
Artwork by Kristen Herrington Art

license

about

Michael S. Ryan Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia

Sing-a-long midtempo folk exploring the essence of what it is to be human.

discography

Empire

Nov 2020
Mr. Universe

Jul 2020
First Time

Jun 2020
This Way

May 2020
Lightning

Apr 2020
Truth

Mar 2020
Make Truce with a Dragon

Feb 2020
Mexico

Sep 2019
Babe

Aug 2019
Keep On Keepin' On

Jul 2019
Cape Breton Night

Jun 2019
John Coffey

May 2019

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