Music

These are the four songs that Matt chose for his memorial. Since the memorial is postponed, you can listen to them here and think of him.

I’ll Fly Away, sung by Alison Kraus

Some bright morning when this life is over
I’ll fly away
To that home on God’s celestial shore
I’ll fly away

I’ll fly away, oh glory
I’ll fly away in the morning
When I die hallelujah by and by
I’ll fly away

When the shadows of this life have gone
I’ll fly away
Like a bird from these prison walls I’ll fly
I’ll fly away

I’ll fly away, oh glory
I’ll fly away in the morning
When I die hallelujah by and by
I’ll fly away

Oh how glad and happy when we meet
I’ll fly away
No more cold iron shackles on my feet
I’ll fly away

I’ll fly away oh glory
I’ll fly away in the morning
When I die hallelujah by and by
I’ll fly away

Just a few more weary days and then
I’ll fly away
To a land where joys will never end
I’ll fly away

I’ll fly away oh glory
I’ll fly away in the morning
When I die hallelujah by and by
I’ll fly away
I’ll fly away

By Way of Sorrow by Julie Miller

Matt wanted to dedicate this song to all the men he worked with at the jails and prisons across New England, current and former inmates, or as Chris called them, “your guys.”

You’ve been taken by the wind,
You have known the kiss of sorrow,
Doors that would not let you in,
Outcast and a stranger.

You have come by way of sorrow, you have come by way of tears,
But you’ll reach your destiny meant to find you all these years,
Meant to find you all these years.

You have drunk a bitter wine with none to be your comfort,
You who once were left behind will be welcome at love’s table.

You have come by way of sorrow, you have taken a long way home,
But the love that waits for, you will someday come to know,
You will one day come to know.

All the nights that joy has slept will awake to days of laughter,
Gone the tears that you have wept,
You’ll dance in freedom ever after.

You have come by way of sorrow, you’ve come o’er a stony ground,
But when love calls out your name, you will lay your burden down,
You will lay your burden down.

You have come by way of sorrow, you have come by way of tears,
But you’ll reach your destiny meant to find you all these years,
Meant to find you all these years.

Live Forever by The Highwaymen

[Willie Nelson]
I’m gonna live forever.
I’m gonna cross that river.
I’m gonna catch tomorrow now.
(Kris Kristofferson)
You’re gonna want to hold me.
Just like I always told you,
You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone.

[All]
Nobody here will ever find me.
But I will always be around.
Just like the songs I leave behind me.
I’m gonna live forever now.

[Waylon Jennings]
You fathers and you mothers,
Be good to one another.
Please try to raise your children right.
[Johnny Cash]
Don’t let the darkness take ’em,
Don’t make ’em feel forsaken,
Just lead ’em safely to the light.

[All]
When this old world is blown assunder,
And all the stars fall from the sky,
Remember someone really loves you.
We’ll live forever you and I.

I’m gonna live forever.
I’m gonna cross that river.
I’m gonna catch tomorrow now.

When I Go Away by Levon Helm

Early in the morning
When the church bells toll
The choir’s gonna sing
And the hearse will roll
On down to the graveyard
Where it’s cold and gray
And then the sun’s gonna shine
Through the shadows
When I go away

Don’t want no sorrow
For this old orphan boy
I don’t want no crying
Only tears of joy
I’m gonna see my mother
Gonna see my father
And I’ll be bound for glory
In the morning
When I go away

I’ll be lifted up to the clouds
On the wings of angels
There’s only flesh and bones
In the ground
Where my troubles will stay

See that storm over yonder
It’s gonna rain all day
But then the sun’s gonna shine
Through the shadows
When I go away

(I’m going home – Lift me up)
When I go away
(No more trouble – I’m going home)
(Lift me up – When I go away)
No more crying
(I’m going home – Lift me up – When I go away)
No more trials
(I’m going home)
Home to leave my worries in the ground
(I’m going home – Lift me up – When I go away)
No more troubles
(I’m going home – Lift me up – When I go away)
No more crying
(I’m going home – Lift me up – When I go away)
No more trials
(I’m going home)
Home to leave my worries in the graveyard
Home to leave my troubles in the graveyard
Home to leave my trials
And I’ll be bound for glory
In the morning
When I go away

All my kin who love me
All my friends who care
Look beyond the dark clouds
We’re gonna meet up there

When they lay me in the cold ground
Bow your heads and pray
(Bow your heads and pray)

And I’ll be bound for glory
In the morning
When I go away

And then the sun’s gonna shine
Through the shadows
When I go away