Jas Hilsdon is sitting on his father's knee. Diane is at the far right, at around 5 years old.
Ever, Diane, © Jas Hilsdon, 1999
When Jas Hilsdon's older sister Diane was born with Down's Syndrome and a hole in her heart, the doctors told his mother and father she wouldn't survive, and to "just leave her at the hospital and we'll 'take care' of it".
My father replied, "We'll just be taking our daughter home with us, thank you." And she DID survive -- for 53 years!
A sweetheart of a soul that brought joy to them her entire life, Jas wrote this song for her that was played at her memorial. In Jas' own words about the song:
"I started writing this song in the mid nineties. But I had such a hard time solving the complex modulation in the bridge that I finally put it on ice. Then, when Diane died in 1999, I determined to finish writing it. At one point, as I sat there at my desk, I felt her hovering above me and saying, "Go on, finish it, I like it." After that, some of the lyrics even seemed to come from her, they were so perfect and fell right into place. The recording is all me doing multiple takes on a Teac 4-track late 1999."
An amazing story and a beautiful song!
In the beginning you can actually hear Diane singing 'Silent Night', and talking a little.
Press the heart to listen. A new window will open to play it, but click back on this page to read the words, below!
Ever, Diane, by Jas Hilsdon © 1999
Momma said from the beginning you were all of a wonder
With your heart compromised, and the down in your eyes
The doctors said you wouldn’t make it - baby’s heart could never take it
And they didn’t give you long, to be ever Diane…
Poppa said whatever happens, you belong to God in Heaven
And we’re blessed to recall - you were ever at all
And it must have been the love in you and the miracle of life in you
Was as good as any other, strong as ever, Diane...
Under this or any other circumstance if at all by any means by any chance,
come wherever it may - any possible way it’s a matter of can, Diane
And you showed us you could do it - if we only left you to it,
Could we ever stop believing, in you ever Diane?
Would you bloom where you were planted?
Could it be you’re enchanted?
How many years has it been - "Happy Birthday", again?
It looks to us as though you made it, Life’s a melody, you played it –
Thank you for the reminder - you were ever, Diane.
It’s the happiness you brought us, and the music you taught us,
Makes us all realize blessings come in disguise
And the person you were meant to be is the light that you were sent to be
just as good or even better - brighter than ever, Diane...
Under this or any other circumstance if at all by any means,
by any chance,
come wherever it may – in any possible way it’s a matter of can, Diane.
And we knew that you could do it, if we only left you to it,
And we’ll never stop believing in you ever Diane...
No we never stopped believing in you ever Diane… Diane…Diane.
All Rights Reserved © By Jas Hilsdon, 2013
