From the recording Fly Away, Fly (original version)
By the time I was in college, I had experienced the deaths of family members... my mom, all but one grandparent, aunts and uncles. Loss is painful. But it wasn't until I learned of the passing of my first-ever, childhood best friend, John Paul Cantrell, that I felt a loss of innocence. When John Paul died, part of the innocence of my childhood died as well. I was fortunate to be able to fly back to New Orleans and attend his funeral.
On the flight back to San Antonio late that night, I was looking out the window of the plane, into the darkness. I wondered, if God gave me the opportunity to say one final thing to John Paul, what would I say to him? Immediately I could envision angels leading his soul into Heaven and I think I would have said something like, "Go Home, John Paul, go Home. Don't look back; let the angels lead you Home. Fly away Home."
By the time the plane landed I already had the entire song written. Immediately upon arriving home very late in the night, I picked up my guitar and the song came out in one take. Over the years I have received numerous reports of "healing" that has taken place via this song. If you are in need of healing, I pray you will receive it... now.
This is the original version, recorded "live in studio" at Edit Point Studios in San Antonio.
Lyrics
Seems like yesterday I saw youChasing dreams for a better dayBut sometimes dreams they slip awaySometimes taken, sometimes taken away
Still you laughed and still you smiledThough the road you walkedHow it seemed it would never endWell streets of gold you wander nowFound your freedom as a song in the windI heard you singing...
Fly away, to the HeavensFly away, back HomeFly away, with the angelsFly away, fly
Ain't it funny how fast the years they go byBut we never, never notice; we never take the timeSo we wonder now and we question, "Why?"Like the shadows that dance in the nightI heard them singing...
Fly away, to the HeavensFly away, back HomeFly away, with the angelsFly away, fly
Seems like yesterday I saw you thereI just turned around, just for one momentAnd you were gone
Now it's hard for me to let goTo say "Goodbye", when you're already goneSo I'm singing...
Fly away, to the HeavensFly away, back HomeFly away, with the angelsFly away, fly