Back Someday
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Lyrics:
One rainy day He went away He was fifteen I was eight He gave me a hug Said, "You'll be okay I don't know how long But I'll be back someday" I cried in my room Scared, sad, and confused Mommy said he was going away to get better He didn't look sick to me I didn't want him to leave I closed my eyes and worked hard to remember He used to pick me up, swing me around Spin until we both fell laughing to the ground He used to tickle me, race me to the car Then he started getting hurt, scratches on his arms He wouldn't tell me how he got them, just said that he was fine But his smiles and laughter faded over time He said he had to go away. Said he didn't feel safe Said to keep him in my prayers. He'd be back someday I wanted to go Mommy said no I was too young to visit The hospital I didn't understand why Before Grandma died I saw her in the hospital All of the time I cried in my room Scared, sad, and confused Mommy said he'd be back and things would get better But the days wore on And he was still gone I closed my eyes and worked hard to remember He used to pick me up, swing me around Spin until we both fell laughing to the ground He used to tickle me, race me to the car Then he started getting hurt, scratches on his arms He wouldn't tell me how he got them, just said that he was fine But his smiles and laughter faded over time He said he had to go away. Said he didn't feel safe Said to keep him in my prayers. He'd be back someday He’d be back someday He’d be back someday Grown-ups' low-voiced chatter stopped when I entered the room I eavesdropped but didn't understand Words like "depression" and "suicide prevention" I just wished that he was there to hold my hand To pick me up, swing me around Spin until we both fall laughing to the ground To tickle me, race me to the car But he started getting hurt, a lot of scratches on his arms He wouldn't tell me how he got them, just said that he was fine But his smiles and laughter faded over time He said he had to go away. Said he didn't feel safe Said to keep him in my prayers. He'd be back someday He’d be back someday So I keep him in my prayers. He'll be back someday. |
Copyright 2026
Lyrics by Kelsey Gallant (2019) Melody by Kelsey Gallant (2024) Music by Joe Gautrey Produced by Kelsey Gallant and Cam Gallant Mixed by Kelsey Gallant and Cam Gallant Background Vocals: Cam Gallant Tuned by Kelsey Gallant and Brandon Nitta Video assembled by Kelsey Gallant The Story Behind The Song:
This song was inspired by a real-life situation. A teenager I knew was struggling with his mental health, and told his parents that he wanted to go to a psychiatric hospital because he didn't feel safe with himself at home. His younger sister--7 or 8 at the time--didn't really understand what was going on, but could tell that it was serious, and was upset by the situation. I started thinking about how hard and scary it must be for someone that young to see someone they love struggling so much. As I watched the rain pour down my window that day, I wrote the first two stanzas. The following day, I finished the lyrics. I always liked the lyrics, but didn't have a tune for them (except a possible one for the chorus) until five years later, when I was visiting my brother Cam in Texas. We were browsing through licensable instrumental tracks by Joe Gautrey, and trying to see if any of them could be good backing tracks for lyrics we'd written with no tunes. I started singing my "Back Someday" lyrics to this piano track, and it fit! I was even able to use my chorus tune, which I hadn't been sure would end up being the final melody. I did end up having to remove one stanza from my original lyrics, because there wasn't enough space in the instrumental track. This stanza originally took place in the bridge, after "I just wished that he was there to hold my hand." I actually like the song better without it now! deleted stanza: Mommy said sometimes sadness can be like a sickness I said if he's sad then he needs to come home She held me and rocked me, I cried in her arms Without him I felt so alone "Back Someday" is on my debut album, STORIES. Click on the picture to learn more about the inspiration behind the album, and the other songs it contains!
album cover design: Kelsey Gallant and Cam Gallant |
