The Roel Prado ’21 Memorial Scholarship

Roel lost his hard-fought battle with depression and took his own life on February 13, 2020. In an effort to honor his life as well as bring awareness to the terrible battles faced by those with depression, the Texas A&M University Singing Cadets commissioned a choral piece by composer Heather Lynn Sorenson entitled “What If I Could Tell You.” The Singing Cadets are honored to share this premiere today in hopes that it will bring peace and comfort to those who knew Roel and anyone else struggling through their own battles with depression.

“What If I Could Tell You” – by Heather Lynn Sorenson

What if I could tell you no one has to walk alone?
You can choose another pathway, one that feels like home.
And what if I could tell you this was not your cross to bear,
Not your grief to hold, not your curse to wear?
And what if I could show you how to lay your burden down,
How to dive into the deep, how to swim but never drown?

So shine your light, and sing the songs you could not sing before.
Fly ‘til you’re safe on heaven’s shore.

What if I could tell you, “You are seen, you are heard.”
You might think your voice is silenced, but we hear ev’ry word.
And how can I convince you of the worth you cannot see?
Shackles have a key, people can be free.
What if I could tell you we’ll do better than before
To see the ones we’re losing, and to give them wings to soar.

Shine your light, and sing the songs you could not sing before.
Fly ‘til you’re safe on heaven’s shore.

What if I could tell you no has to bow in shame?
What if I could tell you to God we’re all the same?

Shine your light, and sing the songs you could not sing before.
Fly ‘til you’re safe on heaven’s shore.

If you are struggling with this hard-fought battle of depression and need to speak to someone please call the National Suicide Prevention LifeLine at 1-800-273-8255. You are not alone.