Dr. Fry’s Texas Medicine Band was was popular in Houston from the mid-1980s through the early 1990’s and was one of the most played Indie artists in the early 2000s. The Reason was one of the band’s most played songs, which is ironic because it was marketed to country radio and is really more poetic than country songs. Doug Sharp wrote all lyrics, and I wrote the music. There were two other choruses written before deciding on this one. I reduced the song to a time more conducive to radio play, and though that worked well I miss the real version of the song, which is only available on home demo tape.

In the longer version, the second verse completes the vision in the first one.

There’s almost a music in the moon’s yellow light

That sings its song near and afar

To hear it is to wish for night without end

And a sky full of bright twinkling stars.

Another original verse that is omitted in the official release is:

I’m glad of you coming though it was long

I know how you fear the night

But you came when I called your name from the stair

Now there is soft silver light.

The Reason

THE REASON
(Clifford L. Fry, Douglas A. Sharp)

Awaiting your coming this moonlit night
Alone at the top of the stairs
The shadows are friendly where the moonlight is dim
And I love the light touch of the air.

Once I traded a lifetime for a new pair of shoes
To be ready to walk when you called
For you gave me song, so sweet and so strong
That all but you now seems small.

CHORUS:
The reason I long for your strength all around me
Is the reason I’ve waited alone
Love is the reason that I’m here to please you
It’s the reason I welcome you home.
It’s the reason I welcome you home.

I said I was alone on this moonlit night
But as before I have lied
For I spoke only of him whom you see
And not of the one here inside.

Now I follow your lead like a very small child
That’s why I gave you my hand
But don’t go too far, and don’t go too fast
For this moment is all that I’ve planned.

REPEAT CHORUS