My dear friend, Isabella Cannon (mayor of Raleigh 1978-80 at age 73) asked me for years to write a song to sing at her funeral. She reminded me of this the week before she died. I chuckled and said I’d be too choked up to sing it, but would be happy to sing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ as she was Scottish and taught me how to pronounce the words and their meaning, which I did. Years later I finally wrote this song for her.

MEMORY OF YOUR LOVE
(Song for Isabella)

You crossed the bridge and left something behind Out in the open for someone to find.
I picked it up and I put in my sack . I’d hold it for you until you could come back. 

Days turned to weeks and then weeks turned to years. I opened the sack even though I did fear
Finding your memory and stirring the flame And having to put out the fire once again.

             But what I found, and what I have  Is the memory of your love.

I thought of the joys that you brought when we met All these were gifts, not just secrets you kept.
Sunshine for warmth, blue sky for strength, Rain for the laughter when we meet again. 

Time’s quenched the flame since we’ve been apart.The gifts that you left I now hold in my heart
When I cross the bridge I’ll leave them behind Out in the open for someone to find.

And what I’ve found, and what I have Is the memory of your love.
            And what I’ve found, and what I know Is the memory of your love.