Prayer to St. Peter

Let them in, Peter
For they are very tired
Give them couches where the angels sleep
And light those fires
Let them wake whole again
To brand new dawns
Fired by the sun
Not war-times bloody guns
May their peace be deep
Remember where the broken bodies lie
God knows how young they were
To have to die

Give them things they like
Let them make some noise
Give dance hall bands not golden harps
To these our boys
Let them love Peter
For they’ve had no time
They should have bird songs and trees
And hills to climb
The taste of summer
And a ripened pear
And girls as sweet as meadow wind
And flowing hair

And tell them how they are missed
But say not to fear
It’s gonna be all right
With us down here

Let them in, Peter
For they are very tired
Give them couches where the angels sleep
And light those fires
Let them wake whole again
To brand new dawns
Fired by the sun
Not war-times bloody guns
May their peace be deep
Remember where the broken bodies lie
God knows how young they were
To have to die

And tell them how they are missed
But say not to fear
It’s gonna be all right
With us down here

It’s gonna be all right
With us down here

Prayer to St. Peter ~ Edwin McCain

This song starts with a quiet guitar rift that is simple and calm. Edwin’s voice portrays the sorrow and regret of those gone. This is all the song consists of, vocals and guitar. His range of dynamics and emotion and the lyrics of the song is what really carries it.
I first heard this song on a band trip. One of the guys’ father was killed while we were away and he had to fly back immediately. I saw him get the news, and I had never seen that much pain in someone’s eyes before. That night I sat on the balcony of the hotel room and listened to this song over and over. There was a lightening storm over and above the ocean. It was up in the sky, lighting the clouds with white and blue and purple streaks. The song helped me to cry and just let go.