Bill, Ken and Bob in the front.
Robert Clinton Cline (1935–2007)
I wrote this in April 2007, the morning after Uncle Bob died.
He had lived with me for the last twelve years of his life, and he passed peacefully in the back bedroom of my apartment on April 14th, surrounded by family. I had the honor of holding his hand as he took his last breath—and the heartbreak of watching my best friend go.
This song came out in a single wave, and I played it at his memorial.
Bob wasn’t just my uncle. He was my co-writer, my partner in mischief, my quiet wisdom, my living example of what it meant to stand tall and give big. He helped me become the man I wanted to be. And when the cancer got bad, he chose to stay home—my home—until the end.
His final request wasn’t dramatic. It was simple, honest, and clear:
“Make time.”
Make time to repair the family.
Make time to hold the ones you love.
Make time before the clock takes it from you.
So this one isn’t just a song. It’s a promise I’m still trying to keep.
Stand By Their Side
[Verse 1]
I walked into his room just this morning
And he smiled and said “good morning son
Go get the girls and let me tell them goodbye”
And then he coughed from down deep in his lungs
“The cancer’s played hell on this body
And the pain that I feel is so strong
You’ve all done your best,
now let me lay down and rest
And thank you for keeping me at home”
[Verse 2]
“Now please do me just one more favor”
He said “our family’s in need of repair
The ties have all weakened and we’ve drifted apart
So make time to be sure you’re there
[Chorus]
Make time for your loved ones,
find time to console them
And go make time to show them you care”
[Verse 3]
And now he’s lying here peacefully sleeping
As the morphine slows down his brain
And my promise is safe in the keeping
But no one can slow down MY pain
It was a privilege for me just to be here
As my hero laid down to die
And I held the hand of my best friend
And he held my heart when he died
[Pre-Chorus]
And there’s time to hold your loved ones,
there’s time to console them
And there’s a time to let them lay down and die
[Chorus]
So make time for your loved ones,
find time to console them
And now make time to stand by their side
[Outro]
So make time for your loved ones,
find time to console them
And now make time to stand by their side
This song is for Uncle Bob!
