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Joey and Rory Feek Find Comfort in “When I’m Gone,” Song That Appears on Their Upcoming Album

Written by

Kimberly Ripley

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Joey and Rory Feek are both in turmoil as Joey battles the cancer that is robbing her of life. The country/bluegrass duo known professionally as Joey + Rory, Joey and Rory Feek know there’s not much time left for Joey here on earth.

Something the husband and wife are clinging to is a song called “When I’m Gone.” It will appear on the upcoming Joey + Rory album that goes on pre-sale at the Cracker Barrel website on Friday, January 15. Called “Hymns & Stories That Are Important to Us,” the album is set for release next month.

“When I’m Gone” was written by Nashville songwriter Sandy Lawrence. Joey and Rory wanted to record it to help circulate Lawrence’s name. While recording it, they realized it would one day become one of the pieces Rory Feek will have left of Joey–after she is gone.

Rory Feek writes about recording the song in his blog, This Life I Live.

“It wasn’t what I wanted… but it’s what the song wanted,” Rory writes. “And though it scared me for us to be that vulnerable, it was also what our whole lives and music career was about – being real… being honest. And so the cameras rolled and both Joey and I let us ourselves imagine what it would be like if she had to leave this world and I was left behind without her.”

Rory Feek will soon known that feeling. He continued in his latest blog post, sharing about Joey’s recent conversations with Jesus.

“And now, here I sit beside my dying wife,” he writes. “I don’t say those words lightly. As a matter-of-fact, I haven’t said them at all. But my beautiful bride has said them to me in these couple of days. Her pain and discomfort has continued to increase daily and so has the morphine to help her be comfortable. The dosage she’s needed to keep the pain away has quadrupled in the last four days.”

“I’d like to tell you that she’s doing great and is going to beat this thing,” he continues. “But I can’t. Yesterday with tears in her eyes and mine, Joey held my hand and told me that she has been having serious talks with Jesus. She said she told him that if He’s ready to take her… she’s ready to come home.”
Our ‘make-believe’ song and video seems to be coming true.

“Some call it ‘life imitating art’. I don’t,” Rory pens. I call it God. He knew I would need her to tell me goodbye… not just once, but a thousand times. And I’d need to know that no matter how much time passes, that she loves me still. And He made it so that if I needed to be reminded of her beautiful life and heart and voice… she would only be a ‘click’ away.”

“Am I angry at the irony of the song?” Rory asks. “No. How could I be? How many men who are losing the woman they love get a gift like that? None that I know of.”

Back on December 7, Joey and Rory were nominated for a Grammy Award for their song “If I Needed You.” Joey Feek set a goal to live until February 15, the night the 2016 Grammy Awards air.

Joey and Rory’s album comes out the day before.

Although Rory Feek writes bravely about what’s to come, he will no doubt be devastated when Joey passes away. One day he will hopefully listen to “When I’m Gone” with peace in his heart.

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