Lord, I'm 500 miles away from home

Today at the hospital I was just about to go play for a patient in ICU. A nurse warned me, “He might say something mean to you.” ( He was agitated)

When I came into view, the man started waving eagerly for me to come in.

Seeing my guitar in hand, he asked, “Will you play me a song?” I nodded. He asked me to play an old folk song, “500 Miles.”

“If you miss the train I’m on
You will know that I am gone
Lord I’m 500 miles away from home...”

I was touched that he wanted that sad song. He just sang that same verse over and over .

I don’t often get requests for certain songs but when I do, they are all about being home.

I was glad the song brought him comfort.