Remember George Bailey, the main character from the American film classic, It's A Wonderful Life? George is ready to end his life when Clarence, his angel, arrives to show him what life would have been like had George not lived. The town, named "Pottersville" instead of "Bedford Falls," would have atrophied into a dreary, immoral place due to the influence of the villanous Mr. Potter. George's military-hero brother, Harry, couldn't have grown up to save hundreds of lives because George wouldn't have been there to save Harry from drowning as a child. Mr. Gower, the pharmacist, would have landed in jail and spent the remainder of his life as a miserable drunk had George not prevented him from making a poisonous error in filling a prescription.

It Wouldn't Be Bedford Falls was inspired by the message of this wonderful story. We create important impacts on people by being ourself, by serving in simple ways from our heart. Because I debuted the song at a children's health event, you'll note the theme of children's heathcare in the second verse.

It Wouldn't Be Bedford Falls
Words and Music by Laura Derocher

George stands on a bridge, ready to give in.
He can't see what his life's worth or how things might have been.
But all throughout the town, people owe their lives
To simple gifts George gave from who he was inside.

CHORUS:
It wouldn't be Bedford Falls without George Bailey.
It wouldn't be Bedford Falls without you.
Someone's world you touch today
is somehow better, ever changed
in ways you may not live to see.
So in dark nights, climb off the bridge.
Trust me, without you here,
It wouldn't be Bedford Falls.

A woman strokes a child-who's weak and letting go-
then speaks with his parents, wanting them to know
that she will stay right here, holding little hands,
caring through a crossing too hard to understand.

CHORUS (Repeat)

BRIDGE:
A boy survives
then devotes himself to saving other lives,
inspired by no one special,
just an angel who came to his side.

CHORUS (Repeat)

© 2001 Laura Derocher (ASCAP). All rights reserved.

Hear an audio sample of this song and order Laura’s CD Song of My Own at .

Choose another song.

Look How I’m Leading Now It Wouldn’t Be Bedford Falls When You Passed Through Song of My Own What Are You Meant To Do This Kind of Love Have Patience Once Upon Your Lifetime Only Love Towers I’m Shining