53 Years (5:31)

53 YEARS

She was a seamstress
A songstress
A gardener
A poet, Sharpshooter
And a prayer warrior

He was a Boxer
A Soldier, Storyteller
A Barbershop Singer
Kindhearted
Hard Working Feller

They were Valentines
For 53 Years
53 Christmases
In their Love Affair
53 Birthdays
53 Chapters
Of tragedy and triumph, tears and rapture
53 years
And one last prayer
Said he'd waltz her to sunset
With a love so rare
'til she closed her eyes here
And opened them there

He was her Hero
She was his Queen
He was the Anchor
She was the Sea
He was the Melody
She was Rhapsody
From Big Bands to Hymn Books
And the symphony between

They were Valentines
For 53 Years
53 Christmases
In their Love Affair
53 Birthdays
53 Chapters
Of tragedy and triumph, tears and rapture
53 years
And one last prayer
Said he'd waltz her to sunset
With a love so rare
'til she closed her eyes here
And opened them there

As he placed his hand upon her cheek
All of us there began to weep
We sang "There is a Name I Love to Hear"
As he whispered so gently in her ear,
"It's okay, honey"
Then he bowed his head and said
"Say Goodnight Here and Good morning there"

They were Valentines
For 53 Years
53 Christmases
In their Love Affair
53 Birthdays
53 Chapters
Of tragedy and triumph, tears and rapture
53 years
And one last prayer
Said he'd waltz her to sunset
With a love so rare
'til she said Goodnight here and Good morning there
Just before dawn
Opal blew out the candle
Drew back the curtain
Raised the window to heaven
And into the light
Her soul he did lead
From Sunset to Dawn
And her soul was freed

They were Valentines
For 53 Years
53 Christmases
In their Love Affair
53 Birthdays
53 Chapters
Of tragedy and triumph, tears and rapture
53 years
And one last prayer
Said he'd waltz her to sunset
With a love so rare
''til she said Goodnight here and Good morning there

Go to sleep
Close your eyes
We will meet again
On the other side…