Inspired by the final scene in the movie, "Mr. Holland's Opus" this song asks, "How does it feel to hear the loud thunder of applause filling your ears?" It's quite a jolt if you've never experienced that much love from an audience, like a "Waterfall"!

Perhaps people who give love in small portions over long lengths of time, such as teachers or kind, civil servants rarely receive thanks, at least until maybe the day they retire. At that time, all the years of their loving work can sometimes come together in a celebration, where all their coworkers, friends and family gather and applaud their years of service. To receive all that adulation and applause in one moment can be unnerving and unsettling, like a “Waterfall”. It’s overwhelming, like when we “try to look at the sun”. Here’s a song to our heroes, whether they are national or local. May they withstand the waterfall of love they deserve.

Scroll down to see a Music Video of this song which includes a LIVE performance by Paige

Waterfall

words and music by Paige Powell                      ©2022 Paige E. Powell

1. I  have inside of me a glass you never see

 And it isn’t full and it’s not empty

 It needs to be refilled with love that can rebuild

 And fill the glasses of the others ‘round me

 Ask the day I’m retiring after serving many years

 “How does it feel to hear the loud thunder

 Of applause filling your ears?”

 Love — daily in amounts so small,
can rush back like a waterfall

 2. The sadness of the class, which is the teacher’s last

 Is turning into smiles and faces nodding

 The auditorium is pounding like a drum

 From everyone so thankfully applauding

 Ask the teacher who’s leaving after serving many years

 “How does it feel to hear the loud thunder

 Of applause filling your ears?”

 Love — daily in amounts so small, can rush back like a waterfall

Bridge:  See the many faces, smiles on every one

 Taking this in is like when we try to look at the sun

3. The heroes on the train, the soldier in the rain

Are running out into the place of danger

The courage that they had, created good from bad

Deciding they would rescue every stranger

 Ask when they’re at the White House

 Recognized for facing fear

 “How does it feel to hear the loud thunder

 Of applause filling your ears?”

 Love — instantly you gave your all, (and) it rushed back like a waterfall

Love rushed back like a waterfall!