Get your tissues ready.
It’s hard to even put into words how much of a toll the 4th of July floods had on Texas last year in the Texas Hill Country region. The Guadalupe River rose dramatically due to torrential rainfall, leading to widespread flooding, and a significant number of the fatalities occurred in Kerr County. The devastation was truly unimaginable, with over 139 victims losing their lives and well over $20 billion in damages occurring around the region.
While every single life lost carried its own weight of devastation, there was none more tragic than the victims of Camp Mystic, a historic all-girls Christian summer camp situated along the South Fork of the Guadalupe River. In total, 25 young campers, ages ranging from only eight to ten years old, and two teenage camp counselors lost their lives
In the country music community, a plethora of artists donated to relief funds in response. This included the likes of Chris and Morgane Stapleton, who donated $1 million dollars through their Outlaw State of Kind charity fund, Pat Green raising over $1 million at his benefit concert after losing four family members to the flood, George Strait holding a benefit concert which raised over $6.5 million and Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum teaming up and raising over $8.5 million with “Band Together Texas.”
Outside of Green, however, the most impacted in the Texas country community was none other than one of its staples, Josh Abbott, who is paying tribute to the 27 victims with a beautiful new song, titled “27 Little Butterflies.”
The song stems from the close relationship Abbott and his family had with the family of one of the victims, Mary Barrett Stevens, who died at Camp Mystic at only eight years old. Abbott’s daughter, Emery, was incredibly close with Mary, with the 45-year-old singer/songwriter describing her as Emery’s “first bestie” in a touching tribute on Instagram leading up to the release of the track.
Beautifully, Abbott would also note that Mary’s nickname, May, and the 27 victims inspired the May 27th release date:
“Mary’s nickname is May. That’s why we released ’27 Little Butterflies’ today. May 27th. We see you May May. We’ll forever revere our short time with you and your impact on our lives.”
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Abbott would recall the terrifying hours after hearing the news of Camp Mystic flooding on July 4, noting how he cried in a way he hadn’t in a “long, long time” upon hearing the news of Mary’s passing.
“Every hour with no response felt darker. When I finally got the news, I cried in a way I hadn’t in a long, long time. This sweet girl had such a joy and glow to her. A little girl we loved, held, swam with, and watched grow up with our own daughter. Her absence will never escape us.”
Abbott would go on to detail how “27 Little Butterflies” came to be, noting that he felt like he had to write something for the girls and their families. He’d explain that he didn’t want to force the song at any point; however, on February 13th, the lyrics finally came to him. What follows is an incredibly simple, albeit beautiful song penned independently by Abbott, which serves as a touching tribute to the victims.
Backed only by a guitar and violin, the Texan delivers a strong message of faith that will undoubtedly give a sense of comfort to all the families.
“Love is a journey guided by faith
The years fly by until they slow to a daze
A bubbly voice reminds you to pray
Love is a journey guided by faith
27 little butterflies
Kaleidoscope in the evening sky
Girls that giggle always shine a light
27 little butterflies”
All proceeds from “27 Little Butterflies” will be donated to Heaven’s 27, a charity created for the families of the victims who tragically lost their lives that day.
“27 Little Butterflies”