After the Glomma

[Intro – piano, acoustic guitar, pedal steel] [Verse 1] They pulled me from the cold black water, I heard the chopper in the night. A searchlight broke through all the darkness, And someone told me, “Hold on tight.” I was scared and barely breathing, I didn’t know what I had done. But there were people standing near me, People who refused to let me run. The ambulance was waiting by the river, Blue lights flashing through the rain. I knew that something had to change, ‘Cause I couldn’t go through this again. [Pre-Chorus] For the first time in a long time, I didn’t have to pretend I’m strong. I finally told somebody the truth, About everything I’d carried for so long. [Chorus] After the Glomma came a new day, After the darkness came the light. I had to face the questions, And finally understand my life. The doctor said, “You won’t be alone now, We’re gonna help you make it through.” And when that hospital door closed behind me, It was a door that helped me find the truth. ⸻ [Verse 2] Inside the hospital it was quiet, But my mind was screaming loud. They asked me what I had been feeling, And I finally said it out loud. I told them about the heavy days, About the things I’d kept inside. It wasn’t easy telling strangers, But nobody walked away that night. They said I needed help and safety, That I shouldn’t be alone. So the doctor made the decision, And I stayed there on my own. [Pre-Chorus] It wasn’t how I thought it would be, But maybe it was what I needed most. A place where somebody could watch over me, Until I found the strength I’d lost. [Chorus] After the Glomma came a new day, After the darkness came the light. I had to face the questions, And finally understand my life. The doctor said, “You won’t be alone now, We’re gonna help you make it through.” And when that hospital door closed behind me, It was a door that helped me find the truth. ⸻ [Instrumental Break – pedal steel, fiddle and electric guitar] ⸻ [Verse 3] The days inside that locked-up ward Could sometimes feel so long. But every morning someone asked me, “Camilla, how are you holding on?” I slowly started understanding That asking help ain’t giving in. Sometimes you need another person To hold you up when you can’t begin. I learned to talk about the hurting, I learned to say when I was scared. And little by little hope came back, Because somebody really cared. [Pre-Chorus] A life can break into pieces, But broken doesn’t mean it’s done. Sometimes the hardest chapters Are where a new story has begun. [Chorus – bigger] After the Glomma came a new day, After the darkness came the light. I had to face the questions, And finally understand my life. The doctor said, “You won’t be alone now, We’re gonna help you make it through.” And when that hospital door closed behind me, It was a door that helped me find the truth. ⸻ [Bridge – soft, emotional] I look back on that night now, But I don’t wanna live back there. The river keeps on running to the ocean, And I’m gonna follow life somewhere. The helicopter came through the darkness, But the rescue didn’t end that night. The people waiting there beside me Helped me find another light. And if the darkness ever finds me, I’ll remember what I learned that day. There is always someone I can call, And I don’t have to face it all alone. ⸻ [Final Chorus – huge Nashville country ending] After the Glomma came a new day, And I got another chance to live. I thought my story had been written, But life had more to give. I’m Camilla, and I’m still standing, And now I’m finally saying it loud: I don’t have to be strong forever, I can ask for help when life gets too hard. After the Glomma came a new day, After the night came morning skies. And though the scars may stay forever, They don’t get to decide my life. [Final Outro – quiet female vocal] I remember that light over the Glomma… I remember the hand that reached for me. I remember the night that changed everything… But I remember this most: I’m still here. I’m still living. And my story isn’t over. Piano and pedal steel fade out. ❤️