Stand by You
Words and Music by Tom May


(Originally released on the Vignette album. Open Spaces, Prairie Winds (out of print) 1987)


When you awake this morning, I’ll be on my way out west
It seems that the hardest task to do is the one you think is best
Better men than me, have never had a better friend
So through every night you are with me, til’ my journeys end
And I will

Stand by you, when the dark of winter comes
When your fear of the forest, makes you want to turn and run
Run away with me, my songs will take you by the hand
Though I leave here this evening
I will stand
Stand by you

There’s a rainbow in the distance, it reminds me of my son
The gold at its end means nothing, to someone so young
I hope that he never forgets, and that when he is a man
He’ll realize what I’ve tried to do, and he’ll try to understand
That I will

Stand by you, when the dark of winter comes
When your fear of the winter, makes you want to turn and run
Run away with me, my songs will take you by the hand
Though I leave here this evening
I will stand
Stand by you

Do you wonder why I keep the faith, when no one seems to care
Why the words that I write are hopeful, amidst these hours of despair
I cannot help believe, that each of us is duty bound
To find what we have to offer
Then use what we have found
And I will

Stand by you, when the dark of winter comes
When your fear of the forest, makes you want to turn and run
Run away with me, my songs will take you by the hand
Though I leave here this evening
I will stand
Stand by you

©1984 Blue Vignette Publishing, ASCAP