A couple of weeks ago I wrote about writing lyrics that build bridges. This past week, I heard this song while looking through some of the highlighted NPR Tiny Desk Contest entries and found a song called In The Hallway by Katie Ruvane that does just that. It does a beautiful job of giving the listeners opportunity to put themselves in the shoes of those who have been impacted by school shootings.

Two lines stood out to me that give the listener a way of relating to others. Parents can feel the grief of loosing a child through the line “There are mothers washing the sheets for empty beds.” Students can imaging the pain of loosing a friend through the line “While someone’s prom date got buried.” Listen below.

In a country with differing ideals, this needs to be heard. Well done Katie.