Following Miley Cyrus' Raunchy MTV Performance, Elderly Man's Song for His Deceased Wife Will Restore Your Faith in Love and Music

Miley Cyrus' raunchy MTV Video Music Awards performance captivated headlines on Monday, as responses to her overtly-sexual antics ranged from horror to disgust. With many decrying the display and wondering what the entertainment world has come to, a positive pick-me-up is certainly warranted -- and we have one for you this morning.

Fred Stobaugh, 96, is making headlines but for very different reasons than Cyrus and her on-stage gyrations. The East Peoria, Ill., resident did what many others his age would probably never do: He entered a song-writing contest earlier this summer. This is notable for a number of reasons, as his age and motivation for doing so certainly stand out.

Fred Stobaugh, 96, wrote a song for his deceased wife called "Oh Sweet Lorraine" (Photo Credit: Green Shoe Studio)

On Monday, Today.com brought the man's story to light, noting that he joined the contest -- one that was held by Green Shoe Studio, a company in his town -- after reading about it in a local newspaper. In the simplest of terms, Stobaugh decided to pen lyrics in an effort to pay homage to his wife, Lorraine, who recently passed away.

So, he put together a simply song celebrating her life and their love together and he mailed it to the studio the traditional way (in a manila envelope) rather than submitting it electronically along with a required video. Accompanying his lyrics, Stobaugh wrote a letter noting his age and the fact that Lorraine had died just weeks before the submission. The two had spent nearly 75 years together.

In an interview with WYZZ-TV back in July, Stobaugh described writing the song, claiming that it simply came to him as he was sitting down and humming six weeks after his wife's death. The tune's title? "Oh Sweet Lorraine." While he seemingly didn't have the technological know-how to produce a video (and, admittedly, he isn't a strong singer) as the contest called for, sending the lyrics in on paper was his way of participating and commemorating his wife's life.

Fred and Lorraine (Photo Credit: Green Shoe Studio)

"I was sitting here one night, oh about six weeks after she passed away and just sat here kind of hummin’ a little bit and it just finally came to me," he told the outlet.

After receiving the lyrics, Green Shoe Studio was blown away. Despite the fact that Stobaugh's submission didn't meet the contest's criteria, Jacob Colgan, a singer and songwriter who received the letter and the song, decided to help turn the lyrics into an actual tune.

In the end, what was written on paper was turned into a professionally-produced song -- one that Stobaugh simply loves.

"The song really helps me. It really helps me. It just seemed like she's just sort of with me," the elderly widower told WYZZ-TV. "Which I know she's smiling, she's smiling down and she likes that song, I know.”

"Oh Sweet Lorraine" has been made available for download on iTunes, with the proceeds going to help support Stobaugh.

Watch a documentary about Stobaugh, his wife and the song, below:

In a pop culture world in which music is often infused with negative messages surrounding drugs and sex (Cyrus' song and performance, of course, included references to both), Stobaugh's participation in this contest deserves both accolades and attention. It's a touching reminder of the power of music as a force for good.

We'll leave you with the touching lyrics of "Oh Sweet Lorraine":

Oh Sweet Lorraine

I wish we could do

The good times

All over again

Oh sweet Lorraine

Life only goes around

Once

But never again

Oh sweet Lorraine

I wish we could do

All the good times all over

Again

My memories will always

Linger on

Oh sweet Lorraine

The memories will

Always linger on

(H/T: Today.com)

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