Music the Last to Go

I remember the first time I saw a stroke victim sing. It was quite a shock. I had taken my guitar to the rest home to sing some Folk Songs of the 1960s with the residents. One lady who could hardly tell me her name began singing clearly with me on This Land is Your Land. It was one of the most beautiful things I ever experienced. Speech and music come from different sides of the brain, so even though speech is difficult the singing ability is still there.

Music is the Last to Go

Musical vibes floating all around

Pushing the air beating our drums

 

Emotions of joy come pouring out

Raising our spirit making us shout

Coming from that spot in our brain

That touches our soul and keeps us sane

 

No matter what happens

Be it stroke or loss of speech

Music still flows

When talking’s out of reach

 

When it’s time to sing

We can sing every line

In rich melodic tones

Leaving all behind

Speechless in that moment

Wondering what just happened

Jaws drop in shock

As we sing with abandon

 

Musical speech unlocked in the brain

Music and talking ride a different train

 

In that gray matter that sometimes goes wrong

Our talking is slurred our conversations gone

Musical diction will still make us shout

From the very first note the words flow out

Bringing awe and wonder to all  who are about

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Painting of Harmony Guitar -Dwight L. Roth