The Story of Emilou on YouTube

I have recently posted a performance I did of the real Emilou about three years ago. At that time, I was still pretty green in terms of appropriate terminology when referring to people who have dementia. I said the word, “Emilou suffers with dementia.” Though, it was clear to me that she struggled and suffered at times, it would have been more appropriate to say, “she lives with dementia.”

Here are the lyrics to her song:

I WANT TO DIE
By Kareen King

I heard her shouting from her bedroom
“Help!” was all she’d ever say
And yet that word would go unnoticed
Repeated often through the day

The ones who cared for her were busy
Attending to the other needs
And yet her cries drew me right to her
She grabbed my arm and then she pleaded

I want to die
I want to die
Just bury me in the pasture
Bury me somewhere, anywhere
I’m an old maid, I’m in pain, I’m alone, I miss home
There’s no purpose for me
Could you please set me free?
‘Cause I . . . . I . . . .
Want to die.

I wish that I could be like others
I always wanted a best friend
I really want to go to heaven.
Could we bring this to an end?
Copyright 2007 Kareen King