Dementia Residents Find Hope and Strength in Angels Among Us Lyrics

Gianna Homes has long used music therapy to support our residents and families. Claire Klein is a Board-Certified Music Therapists and serves as the Program Director. She sat with two of our dementia residents to listen to and talk about the song Angels Among Us by Alabama that inspired the theme of our gala this year. Here is a taste of the residents’ reactions after hearing the song
Claire: What do you think about this song? How does it make you feel
Resident 1: It’s very intuitive. It hits all sorts of colors and voices and brings it to a meaningful point. It helps me remember where my husband is [who recently passed away]. Resident 2: Yes, I’m always doing all kinds of things but I didn’t know I could do that.   C: Let’s look at the line about losing your way, feeling scared and alone. Has there ever been a time when you’ve felt that way? R2: Right now! I get scared because I’m afraid things don’t get done correctly and I don’t feel safe. But I know I don’t need to but I do. R1: Yes! A lot! Most of the time! C: Then in the song, the kind, old man comes by to help. Are there people in your life who have helped you? R1: A little bit. R2: It depends on who is there. R1: I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. It’s hard to lose those people who have been with you. R2: My brother was a really great person and did all kinds of stuff with people. That’s the one, I think. C: Do you think you have ever met an angel? R2: It sounds crazy, but yes. R1: I have, yes. Many people help you in little ways every day. Even something like picking up something you’ve dropped – it’s all helpful. C: Later in the song, the lyrics go “Someone light the way with just a single ray of hope.” What gives you hope? R1: God – He’s a big one there. Good friends. The many you love. With all of them, you still cry in between but they bring your head right up and try not to feel sorry for yourself. It’s a yes/ no. It’s an up/ down journey. You can’t give up, even if you’d like to. R2: It’s different for me. I know there’s people but I can’t. But, yes – You can’t give up. C: Have you ever been an angel to someone else?

R1: Sure! I’ve helped people do something. Yes, I think so. Even just the other day, I saw someone small, I just took her hand. You can always keep a love of something for someone… That’s our humanity

Angels Among Us – Lyrics

I was walkin’ home from school

On a cold winter day,
Took a short cut through the woods
And I lost my way.
It was gettin’ late, and I was scared and alone.
Then a kind old man took my hand, and led me home. Mama couldn’t see him,
But he was standing there,
And I knew in my heart
He was the answer to my prayer. Oh, I believe there are Angels Among Us,
Sent down to us from somewhere up above.
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live
To teach us how to give
To guide us with a light of love. When life held troubled times
And had me down on my knees
There’s always been someone
To come along and comfort me
A kind word from a stranger
To lend a helping hand
A phone call from a friend
Just to say I understand Now ain’t it kind of funny
At the dark end of the road
Someone light the way with just a single ray of hope. Oh, I believe there are Angels Among Us,
Sent down to us from somewhere up above.
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live
To teach us how to give
To guide us with a light of love. They wear so many faces,
Show up in the strangest places
And grace us with their mercies in our time of need. Oh, I believe there are Angels Among Us,
Sent down to us from somewhere up above.
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live
To teach us how to give
To guide us with a light of love. To guide us with a light of love