Last Man in the Water | Sara Hickman

🎵 Last Man in the Water | Sara Hickman 🎵

Last Man in the Water - Written by Sara Hickman
Recorded Live May 24, 2022
McGonigel's Mucky Duck  |  Home of the Livest Music in Texas™
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A song about a hero. 
There was an Air Florida crash in Washington DC in which 74 passengers and the flight crew were killed. Pilots failed to utilize the de-icing capacity aboard the plane which, combined with the heavy snow and ice, caused the plane to crash into the frozen Potomac River.
The following story is about the real person the song, “Last Man in the Water”, was written about. 
“Aboard that flight was Arland D. Williams Jr., a 46-year old bank examiner with the Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta, Georgia. On January 13, 1982, he was one of only six survivors aboard when Air Florida Flight 90 crashed.
Bystanders, news media, and rescue personnel on the bridge and shore were helpless to reach the survivors. The only hope of rescue was a police helicopter, but it arrived about 20 minutes after the crash.
As the rescue helicopter hovered overhead, Mr. Williams repeatedly grabbed hold of the swaying lifeline and selflessly passed it to other survivors clinging to the wreckage. It is doubtful whether any of the other victims could have been rescued without Mr. Williams’ help. However, by the time the helicopter returned on a final trip to rescue him, he had already drowned.
Williams was posthumously awarded the United States Coast Guard’s Gold Lifesaving Medal by President Ronald Reagan. An important bridge was renamed for him, and The Citadel established several memorials. The new Arland D. Williams Jr. Elementary School in Mattoon was dedicated to his memory in August, 2003.”
In honor of Mr. Williams, Sara dedicated the following lyrics, in the hope that she could help to share his selfless courage at every show when she performed this song. 
A hero in our midst…

Lyrics:
Once upon a time I had a day
Seemed everything was going my way
I was the type who did believe
It couldn’t happen to me

Looking back on how it all got started
I never knew I’d be so open hearted
Here’s the part of the story
Where I have to say:
My life will never be the same…
Oh…oh

Here, underneath the water…
I can see…
Here, underneath the water
I’m finally free….

I was the last man in the water
I was the one who saved your
Sons and daughters
And when they finally sent down
The last shred of rope
I saw my last hope wave goodbye…

I barely had time to think
I’d just sat down and I just got my drink
I heard an awful sound and the world caught fire…
Freezing water swirling all around
I saw it pull a young couple down
My fingers cold, my body numb
Revelations for everyone…

Here, underneath the water
Oh, I can see….
Here, underneath the water
Life’s bigger than me….

I was the last man in the water
Yea, I’m the one who saved your
Sons and daughters
And when they finally sent down
The last shred of rope
I saw my last hope wave goodbye…

What would you do…in my shows….
When you’ve got everythin to lose…
I gave away my sweet, sweet right to life….
But I don’t regret
This final sacrifice….
Oh……….

There were maybe four or five of us…
Three began to pray, one began to cuss
Who knew who’d be saved, and who was through?
Time was tickin’, man, it sure can fly
When life is passin’, before your eyes
You realize what you have got to do….

So, you become the last man in the water
Yea, you’re the one who saves the sons and daughters
And when they finally send down
The last shred of rope
You’ll see your last hope
Wave
goodbye….oh………