“Like a River” Is a Painfully Real Memorial Service Song for Daughters Who Have Lost Their Mother

One of my personal favorites, Carly Simon’s song “Like a River”, expresses the depth of Carly’s love following the death of her mother. Carly sings openly of “death’s struggle,” then peace and the subsequent sad details of settling the estate that must take place. That she “fought over the pearls” is as unsettling to Carly as the need to settle the estate at such a profound moment in her life.

Carly sings in poetic metaphors (and spells out to us quite literally) about “the room [that] is emptying out” — a place of her mother’s personal items, of family members who were at her bedside and most importantly, the physical spirit of her mother. The loss of a parent is one of life’s most difficult moments and we feel Carly Simon’s pain. Carly brings us into her world to feel what a daughter feels.

Her lyrics are such that any daughter can relate, especially when accompanied by the sweet sounds of her music. “Like a River” is a lovely song choice for a memorial service, particularly for daughters who have lost their mother.

Dear mother the struggle is over now
And your house is up for sale
We divided your railroad watches
Between the four of us
I fought over the pearls
With the other girls
But it was all a metaphor
For what was wrong with us
As the room is emptying out
Your face so young comes into view
And on the back porch is a well-worn step
And a pool of light that you can walk into

I’ll wait no more for you like a daughter,
That part of our life together is over
But I will wait for you, forever
Like a river…

Another perfect memorial service song. If you are seeking the rest of the lyrics to “Like a River” for daughters who have lost their mother, read here.

Related Articles:

• A post I wrote on my mother’s loss of her mother. Death need not be a sad ending.
• My mom’s five tips to a peaceful division of family treasures when settling an estate. Read How to Divide Family Heirlooms.
• Our SevenPonds comprehensive step-by-step guide to settling the estate.