A song I wrote about my freshman suitemate Elliot.

'Cause It's Elliot

I left my world when you came into yours,
a thousand miles apart.
But way out here within my chest of drawers,
I feel you pull out my heart.

Power of a smile ain’t a small thing—
yours is a superpower.
And above your face I swear I see a ring—
a beauty that shames every flower.

And that’s the way it’s supposed to be:
You’re worth more than all these, love.
And I’ll do my part just to help you see
the things you can’t see, love,
(Eleanor)
the things you can’t see, love.

Sad for the day when your smile goes away—
the world will let you down, love.
And so will you: within you’ll see decay—
flooded with sin, you could drown, love.

That’s not the way it’s supposed to be—
Christ is the Image you dream, love.
So take a good look and dive in ‘cause it’s free—
and if you need help, hold on to me.
(Eleanor)
And if you need help, hold on to me.
Eleanor
Eleanor
Eleanor

[Written & recorded for my niece, Eleanor Ryan, for Christmas, 2015.]

For Eleanor

Lyrics:
What do you see? Who’s in the mirror?
You know you never truly see yourself.
It’s haunting, can’t it be, O Mother?
We want to show you just what we see in you:

Mom,
we see a
warm smile,
spirit,
marriage where you’re fully loved & known.

You give more than you receive.
You laugh when we laugh, and cry when we grieve—
you never leave…

You build up, enrich, and you welcome us home.
You’re someone I would like to become,
like to become…
 
What do you see? Who’s in the mirror?
You know you never truly see yourself.
It’s haunting, can’t it be, O Father?
We want to show you just what we see in you:

Dad,
we see a
caring man,
provider,
an inviting conversation where we don’t want to hide…

You care for your kids and are your grandkids’ hero.
You’ve won us over with little words, but we know,
Father, we know:

You’re our family’s rock and you gather us in.
You’re the greatest dad, but yet you’re friend,
forever my friend…

…love.

What do you see when look in—in the mirror?
You never see yourself.
Don’t be afraid, we see what you don’t—
we want to be just like what we see.


Credits:
Lyrics written by Chelsea Ryan and adapted by Chad S. Ryan.
Music written and recorded by Chad S. Ryan.

Chadley&theMusicalFusion