Lyrical Themes in Songs Written by Palliative Care Patients

This study examines the use of song writing in palliative care. Modified grounded theory and content analysis approaches were used to investigate the lyrical themes and categories (groups of concepts) in 64 songs written by 39 palliative care patients. The eight themes that emerged in the songs were: self-reflections, compliments, memories, reflections upon significant others (including pets), self-expression of adversity, imagery, and prayers. The seven most frequently recurring categories were: compliments to family members, staff, other patients and friends about their personal qualities and their impact upon the patients' lives; messages of positive feelings for and experiences with people, including love, care and that one needs people; memories of relationships with people, both living and deceased; existing in the future; expressions of the adverse experiences resulting from living with the illnesses of multiple sclerosis and cancer descriptions of stories and nature imagery scenes; and gratitude to family members, staff, and God. The author argues that song writing is a worthwhile technique for some palliative care patients because the Iyrical themes suggest that the process may aid in meeting their physical, psycho-social, and spiritual needs. The song writing paradigm that facilitated the palliative care patients' song writing is also presented.