[Albion Wilde]

Toby Mac's songs have given me (and so many others) great joy. I hurt that he is having to know the thing no parent ever wants to know. Even this boy, the oldest of five kids raised in a Christian home, fell prey. Lord, make it stop. Help our President to build the wall.

Click to listen:

21 Years

Woke up ’cause the light poured in. Day Two: let the flood begin
Day One left me in my bed. I can barely remember it
Heart shattered in a thousand ways. They tell me pain gonna come in waves
They tell me I’m gonna be okay. I’m still waiting for the first to break

Why would You give and then take him away
Suddenly end. Could You not let it fade?
What I would give for a couple of days
A couple of days

Is it just across the Jordan, or a city in the stars
Are you singing with the angels? Are you happy where you are?
Well, until this show is over and you run into my arms
God has you in heaven, but I have you in my heart
I have you in my heart

I just can’t make sense of this. Everything is so dissonant
Somebody said he was meant for this, but I’m just straight missing him
I wanna wake up to your laugh at two; catch you when you steal my shoes
Say good morning, afternoon, talk you through those “Alex blues”
Listen to your latest beats, talk about what the lyrics mean
Venmo you another loan, see you do your second show

You said you’d turn, you would turn it around
Thought that you had time to straighten it out
Told me that you were my prodigal son
But this isn’t home

Is it just across the Jordan, or a city in the stars
Are you singing with the angels? Are you happy where you are?
Well, until this show is over and you run into my arms
God has you in heaven, but I have you in my heart
I have you in my heart

Did he see You from a long way off, running to him with a Father’s heart?
Did You wrap him up inside Your arms and let him know that he’s home?
[repeat]

Is it just across the Jordan, or a city in the stars
Are you singing with the angels? Are you happy where you are?
Well, until this show is over and you run into my arms
God has you in heaven

21 years makes a man full-grown
21 years, what a beautiful loan
21 years, I loved every one
Thank You, Lord, for my beautiful son

[bramps]

From the song:

Why would You give and then take him away
Suddenly end. Could You not let it fade?
What I would give for a couple of days
A couple of days

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

To me those lyrics would be more appropriate if his son was killed by in a car accident.

I fully realize I’m not in his shoes and your post made me think and watch myself as far as judging someone. I’m thankful for that. But I’ve seen parents today in very similar situations that keep their heads in the sand even as you try to tell them there is problem needing a serious dose of tough love. Even as their own actions lead their child to their own demise. And by making excuses or keeping blinders on, they tacitly encourage other parents to not confront their children (and the demons attacking them) and not do whatever it takes to stop this plague.

[Mama Shawna]

I’ve never heard of him. That was heart wrenching. I hope I never become part of that club.

[mountainfolk]

Thank you for posting that song about the death of a son and the grief felt by the father. I am not at all acquainted with the careers and songs of anyone mentioned, but the name Toby Mac does sound familiar. The words of the song express the grief of loss and the expectation of a God and heaven that will take care of his son. Lovely words and so many of us are aware of the absolute desolation that comes from the death of a young or old person which should not have happened in the way it did. Addiction of any sort is destructive and often deadly and there is no comprehending why some humans do what they do. As for the money factor, why on earth should anybody care about that at all? Selling the song reaches more people that will benefit from finding solace in both reading the words and hearing it sung. God bless the family and comfort them all.