This story began with conversations with our friends about what they felt a “legacy” really was. It was all very interesting to us as we felt strongly that our greatest legacy was not in material or positional power, but rather in the memories created throughout a lifetime of caring and loving. We were thinking about the concept because of recent thoughts/conversations with another friend, as well. The song emerged from all of that rich conversation.

One day riding the #45 bus into Florence through Caldine, a family of 19 boarded with almost more luggage than the bus would hold. They were an extended family from New York on a celebration trip to Italy for their parents/grandparents 50th anniversary. We were struck by the commitment they made to create shared memories together, and so decided to go home and finish the song for them.

We recorded at dusk that night, and delivered it to their hotel in Fiesole the next morning. We left the CD with a note. Later, we received a wonderful message on our website from the father about how much they appreciated our gift.

When we returned to California to master the song with our friend Tardon, his ears perked up at the end of “Legacy.” He asked, “Do you hear the crickets?” Sure enough, our dusk recording had captured the sound of chirping Tuscan crickets—a small price to pay for spontaneity.

Lyrics

My father told me once, “Now don’t forget
Always do the best you can, you only get one chance”

He said the choice is yours alone
So have no regrets
No matter what you do
Make a memory, leave a legacy

Every day, all day through, I worked at being true
Sage advice, simple words
If I weakened then I heard him say
Make a memory, leave a legacy

Now with children of my own, and with everything I’ve known
I still hear my father whisper, “Just remember”

I see sometimes in their eyes
How his words have touched their lives
As he wove his story day by day
Into memory, and left a legacy

No matter what you do, always do your best
No matter who you are, you only get one chance
No matter where you go, always be true
No matter where your life may lead

Make a memory, leave a legacy

Credits

From The Way to Love, track released 01 July 2006
Cheryl Martlage – Lyrics and vocals
Emerson Martlage – Music, guitar and vocals
Inspiration – conversations with close friends