By Larry Shurilla
There’s an angel on my shoulder
That wasn’t here yesterday
That’s because we laid her down
Not so very far away
She comes around when I’m feeling down
Whispers, Hold on Dad, you must be strong
Got an angel on my shoulder
She wasn’t here yesterday
I hugged you in a drizzling rain
Held on tight before the police came
Watched you stand in line for a snack at nine
Wished I was there, not you
This dark thing came right at your bloom
A force so strong it tricked your mind
Got an angel on my shoulder, saying,
Dad, that wasn’t really me
When you’ve done your best and it’s not enough
You tried and cried and tried
But that doesn’t help so very much,
When you’ve kissed her cheek, Good bye
Some things we cannot understand
Strange voices making cruel demands
You thought they were from Heaven
Even though they came from Hell
The Good Lord knew how strong you were
Knew your heart was pure and good
It seems He always brings those home
Much younger than He should
She comes around when golden sun goes down
Whispers, Look here, Dad, beauty’s all around
Got an angel on my shoulder
That wasn’t here yesterday
She comes to me in her daughter’s laugh
Saying, Take good care, Dad, she’s all I had
There’s an angel on my shoulder
She wasn’t here yesterday
That’s because we laid her down
Not so very far away
She comes around when I’m feeling down
Almost any time of day
Whispers, Sorry Dad, It’ll be OK
I’m up here now, to light, your way