Introduction
“To Say Goodbye” is a poignant country ballad by the American duo Joey + Rory, composed of husband and wife Rory Feek and Joey Martin Feek. Released on July 27, 2009, as the third single from their debut album, The Life of a Song, the track was co-written by Rory, Joey, and Jamie Teachenor .
The song unfolds through two narratives: a woman who lost her husband in the 9/11 attacks and an elderly man whose wife no longer recognizes him due to Alzheimer’s disease. Both stories converge on the shared sorrow of not having the chance to say a final goodbye. The minimalist piano arrangement and understated vocals amplify the emotional weight, allowing the lyrics to resonate deeply with listeners
In conjunction with the song’s release, Joey + Rory launched a dedicated website to create an online community where individuals could share personal stories and find solace in collective experiences of loss .
“To Say Goodbye” stands as a testament to Joey + Rory’s storytelling prowess and their ability to touch on universal themes of love, loss, and the human desire for closure. Its enduring impact lies in its capacity to provide comfort and understanding to those navigating the complexities of grief.
Video
Lyrics
He said I’ll call you hun when I get there
Ten minutes later he was in the air
She dropped the kids at school and headed home
Walked in and turned the front room TV on
She could tell that there was something wrong
Every channel had the same thing on
Now seven years have come and gone away
But she’s still hurtin’ like it’s yesterday
Cause she wants to put her arms around his neck
And look in his eyes so blue
And say honey I don’t regret
A single day I spent with you
She wants to tell him that she loves him so
And will until the day she dies
It ain’t that she can’t let him go
She just wants to say goodbye
He sits beside her in the nursing home
Through her silver hair he runs a comb
He hangs their wedding picture on the wall
She don’t remember who he is at all
He tells her stories bout the life they’ve lived
From their first kiss to their last grandkids
For seven months now she just sits and stares
But if she wakes up he’s gonna be right there
Cause he wants to put his arms around her neck
And look in her eyes so blue
And say honey I won’t forget
A single day I spent with you
He wants to tell her that he loves her so
And will until the day he dies
It ain’t that he can’t let her go
He just wants to say goodbye
No it ain’t that we can’t let ‘em go
We just want to say goodbye