Power of Music Mondays: "Falling and Flying"

Power of Music Mondays

by Allison W. Gryphon

“The air’s so heavy, it could drown a butterfly, if it flew too high.”

Going through chemo, music was a life raft for me. Not far into treatment, I was introduced to the song Falling and Flying by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.  It was an instant connection. I felt understood. Walking on that high wire between life and death is truly falling and flying all at once.

Sometimes I’d be sitting in the chair, watching the poison drip, wondering what it was doing to by body, and I’d put this song on repeat and just let go... it got me through more than a few scary moments.

Click Here to listen to Falling and Flying from the album This Is Somewhere.

Click Here to visit the official website of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.

"Falling Or Flying"

We got lost again

Drove to the end of a road

And a red aced man

Taught us to do what we're told

And on the 23rd night

Things ain't bad but things ain't right

Are we falling or flying

Are we falling or flying

Are we living or dying

I guess we'll never know

The air's so heavy

It could drown a butterfly

If it flew too high

And i get the feeling

That the truck driver ain't shy

Cause he's looking at me but nowhere near my eyes

And on the 35th morning

Things ain't good but things ain't boring

Are we falling or flying

Are we falling or flying

Are we living or dying

I guess we'll never know

Sometimes it's hard tot ell

If there's a life behind a song

But i know tomorrow

Today won't feel so long

Cause on the 42nd night

The room was dark but the stage was bright

Are we falling or flying

Are we falling or flying

Are we living or dying

Cause my friend this too shall pass

So play every show like it's your last

About Power of Music Mondays

I received many gifts while I was going through my cancer fight. They were all amazing and helpful. What stands out to me more than anything is music. The songs and playlists I was sent became a huge part of my treatment. It’s the one thing you can always have close by. It can turn you around and slip itself around your soul to make everything ok, if even just for a moment. Looking back, I'm not sure how I would have done without it. ~Allison

The Power of Music is extraordinary. The right song can inspire, empower, comfort and redirect anyone. Cancer fighters and their families are no exception.

Every Monday, The Why? Foundation will celebrate a song and an artist that has given us a musical gift.

If you have a song that has helped you or someone you know fight the fight, we want to hear about it. Please send an email to info@thewhyfoundation.org with your story and your song.