Beneath the Same Moonlight

Written by and song by: Melanie Bradley

Special notes: After a lot of pondering, and surviving through the stroke I had, I decided it is finally time for me to come out of the closet and let my voice shine. Music has always been in my mind but I could just never get to it but now, I see that I have to, I should stop “waiting.” I almost left this world and it would have been horrible to never have had the chance to let my voice shine. Right? So starting out, I took time to write and sing this song for my daughter Rella.

(Verse 1) Sunlight through the window pane, a picture on the shelf It’s of you two laughing, just being your own sweet self Ariela, my sweet girl, your smile a shining grace And Hayden, strong and kind, with a gentle, steady face You knew this day would come, the call he had to heed To serve his country, plant a brave and noble seed

(Chorus) Now miles lie between you, like a river deep and wide But every star you see at night, he’s watching by your side He’s going to be keeping all of us safe, from the dark that waits beyond And in his heart, your love’s a light, a promise and a bond So let your spirit soar, let your faith in him be strong For in the silence and the space, your hearts still sing their song

(Verse 2) The phone call from him finally comes, a hurried word, a moment in the day The static whispers things your hearts both long to say You see him in a crowded room, but he’s not really there Just a memory to hold, a silent, whispered prayer You miss the way he held your hand, the comfort of his touch But you know he’s doing things that mean so very much

(Chorus) Now miles lie between you, like a river deep and wide But every star you see at night, he’s watching by your side He’s keeping all of us safe, from the dark that waits beyond And in his heart, your love’s a light, a promise and a bond So let your spirit soar, let your faith in him be strong For in the silence and the space, your hearts still sing their song

(Bridge) Some days the world will feel too big, the waiting far too long But brave hearts find a way to make their lonely feelings strong He’s on a duty, true and deep, a mission for the free And a part of him is still at home, beside you, Ariela, my darling, will always be your mom.

(Outro) So hold that picture close, the love that shines so bright Know that Hayden’s standing tall, beneath the same moonlight And his greatest strength and courage, in his heart, he’ll always find In the thought of you, my daughter, the one he left behind.