Country singer Kirsty Lee Akers to release song in honour of Mount Vincent teenager Hannah Rye

Hannah was a young woman interested in singing lessons with the local country music artist.

But before she could even start, Hannah’s doctor told her she had Ewing’s sarcoma – a rare form of cancer – and needed urgent treatment.

While the lessons didn’t arise, the friendship between Hannah and Kirsty grew, with Hannah even appearing in one of the country star’s music videos – Ain’t That Kinda Girl – after receiving the all clear from doctors.

Sadly, just a couple of months later Hannah found out the disease had returned.

Her death in August prompted a heartfelt tribute from her friend.

On July 20, Kirsty will release her latest album Under My Skin at East Cessnock Bowling Club, which includes a moving tribute to her late friend, titled House Full of Flowers (Hannah’s Song).

The singer’s journey with the piece began while Hannah was alive.

“After the last time I saw Hannah I went home and I started writing the song,” she said.

“I tried to finish it in the one sitting while she was still alive but I felt like if I finished the song it was kind of like I was coming to terms with the fact that she was actually going to go.

“I guess when you’re told a friend is going to pass away you don’t want to come to terms with it, and I just let it sit in limbo a little bit.”

Kirsty hopes that what started as a way to express her emotion could help others going through similar grief.

“That’s how I’ve always dealt with anything in my life,” she said.

“Instead of going to therapy I just write a song.

“In my life, in happy or sad times, I always tend to write a song about it and that normally helps me get through it. If anyone else can relate to it then that’s a bonus.”

The song is written from the perspective of Hannah, sharing reassuring words to her loved ones. Now, through House Full of Flowers, Hannah and Kirsty will be forever connected through what originally brought them together – music.

Related content: Community surprises cancer sufferer Hannah Rye with backyard makeover

Written by Kirsty Lee Akers and Jerry Salley

The house is full of flowers

Mum and dad are at the church

Today I get to wear my white dress

But I’m arriving in a hearse

I did my best to get to see 16

But that damn cancer got the best of me

Don’t you cry now

Remember all the good times

And somehow, find the strength

To smile and know that I’ll be looking down

Watching over everything you do

Even when the roses aren’t in bloom

The house is full of flowers

Soon they all will start fading

And the sweet fragrance won’t fill every room

Don’t feel bad if you forget me for a moment

It just means times doing what its suppose to do

It doesn’t mean you love me any less

If the hurt stops long enough to catch your breath

Chorus

Its been a year now since I left you

But don’t you think that I don’t know

If you wonder if there’s tears in heaven

You should see the happy one’s up here that flow

I know you felt me there today

Gathered round to celebrate

The house was full of flowers