For many the words of a song can bring great meaning and emotion. It’s through lyrics local songwriters are hoping to impact the lives of the brave who’ve fought for our county and are now struggling at home.
“She went out to their property, their big property, and found him under a tree,” said Linda Murphy of a conversation she had with a mother who lost her son to suicide. “She said the comment that touched me so much, she said, ‘I only miss him when I breathe.’ And I thought, ‘Wow.'”
Linda and Russ Murphy have spent hours with families who’ve lost their soldiers to suicide. It’s through those stories they realized their future song, “The Battle Rages On,” will be their most important song yet.
“There’s a real passion in this song,” said Russ, “It’s one of those songs you want to make it so good, not for yourself, but who you’re singing it for. Our prayer is maybe a soldier who is considering taking his or her own life would just remember hang on, just one more day with God’s help and your friends’ help, you can walk through this and get through it.”
Having written songs honoring the brave, they say this one has the opportunity to make a difference.
“I want these men and women to feel like, ‘We love you, hang on,'” said Russ.
“We can’t understand exactly but we do understand you’re hurting and there are resources to help you, let us try to help you,” added Linda.
The Murphys recently performed the song at a candlelight vigil honoring those lives lost from suicide.
“The chorus is, ‘The battle rages on, memories still burn of the horror that you’ve seen the cries that you’ve heard from the dying young men on a battlefield a long, long way from home. The battle rages on.'”
Through this song, the Murphys hope to make a real impact.
“It’s such an honor and such a responsibility to get this right,” said Linda.
“It’s telling folks just hold on, hold on, God’s not through with you yet.”
They song was co-written with local song writer David Spear.
Click here to hear the song or get a copy.
For more information and resources on soldier suicide, visit Stop Soldier Suicide.
