Occasional Duluthian Mary Bue‘s new song “Aftermath” is being released today at 7 p.m. with a special livestream benefiting the Minnesota Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Co-written with children’s author Laura Seitz following the suicide of one of her friends, the song documents the grieving process. Seitz grew up in Virginia, Minn. and graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth.

During the livestream there will be a conversation about the meaning behind the song and how it came together.

“Aftermath”
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Tom Herbers
Piano, vocals: Mary Bue
Vocal cameo: Laura Seitz
Violin: Shannon Frid-Rubin
Cello: Julia Floberg

Lyrics
Poured myself a whiskey
trying to drown out the pain.
Searching for somewhere
To place the blame.
Going through scenarios
Inside my mind.
Knowing there’s no answers there
I’ll ever find.
I’m struggling with the guilt
Needing to forgive.
If I had picked up the phone
Would you have made the choice to live?
Are there words I could’ve said
To make you stay.
Or did you know deep down,
You’d go out this way?
Merle’s on the radio
Playing your song.
With your friends and family
Is where you belong.
Wish I’d known the sorrow
You were swimming in
But you hid it well behind
Your shit-eating grin.
I’m struggling with the guilt
Needing to forgive.
If I had picked up the phone
Would you have made the choice to live?
Are there words I could’ve said
To make you stay.
Or did you know deep down,
You’d go out this way?
Repeat chorus and then
I wish you’d know deep down
There’s another way.