With words of self-assurance and determination Rachel Platten’s hit song, “This is my fight song”, has spoken to children and young people with pediatric cancer. Listen to the words and you understand why. “This is my fight song, Take back my life song… ‘Cause I’ve still got a lot of fight left in me.”

In an interview with http://www.sweetyhigh.com, Ms. Platten spoke of the meaning of and the inspiration behind her song. It is her story. “The story of the many rejections I received from record labels, the countless closed doors; and despite all of it, that tiny but brave voice in my heart that wouldn’t let me give up on myself or my dream.” “On the outside there was a lot of hard stuff going on and a lot of reasons to give up on myself… but through writing the song, I made the decision to not listen to that small mean voice that was telling me I wasn’t good enough. I decided to keep believing in myself no mater what.”

Of the appeal of her song Ms. Platten said, “I think it reminds us that those mean voices in our heads that are saying we aren’t good enough and that we can’t do it, or it’s too late…that they are not true. I think it empowers us to keep fighting for what we believe in and to never give up on ourselves.”

ThePianoGuys perform an instrumental version of the song, with a significant twist. The video they produced begins with the words of the third verse of John Newton hymn, “Amazing Grace.” “Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; ’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.” As the video continues, the majestic Scottish scenery, the power of the music, the bagpipes, even the “huh” of the bagpipers, arouse a feeling of strength and confidence.

As I watch the video and listen to the music, the words of “Amazing Grace” mix with the words of “This is my fight song.” This especially occurs when the ThePianoGuys blend together the tunes of both songs. As this mixing, this blending, happens in my mind and heart I am reminded, “’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.”

This is my fight song, Christ has raised me up from the death of my sinfulness. He has given me back my life. Christ has given me new life, a life lived in Him and belonging to Him. In Christ I’m alright. Through His Spirit I am empowered to live faithfully for Him. His grace is my strength and my confidence to fight through and persevere in the many dangers, toils and snares life throws at me. People, events, personal struggles, seek to discourage me, but I still believe in Christ. He assures me. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). So by His grace, this fire burning in my bones, I will fight on until He leads me home.

One footnote: My grandson Sully courageously fought the war against infant leukemia. He fought from the age of two months until his death at fifteen months old. Remembering Sully and having the opportunity to meet and know many valiant warriors like him, I still believe.

Below is the video of Rachel Platten singing with a pediatric cancer patient. Also below is the video by ThePianoGuys.