A former American Idol contestant wrote a song about the Orlando shooting, and it's really powerful

ORLANDO—On Sunday night, just hours after 49 people were gunned down in a gay nightclub, a crowd gathered in a park as darkness swept across the skyline to pay tribute to the victims.

After many heartfelt speakers gave their thoughts, the crowd parted to make room for former American Idol contestant David Oliver Willis, who walked through the masses with a black shirt, jeans, boots and a guitar case, kneeled before the mourners, and began to sing a song he’d written for the occasion.

“There’s 50 cars left in the parking lot,” Willis sang. “There’s mothers waiting at the door/ there’s 50 mothers waiting at the door.”

Here’s the video of Willis’ powerful performance:

Willis told me that while he didn’t know anyone personally affected by the shooting at Pulse nightclub, the death of his friend and fellow singer Christina Grimmie at a local bar only the night before had hit the local music community hard.

“I had my guitar in my car and I just got back from a gig. And leaving there I just kept thinking about it throughout the day,” Willis said. “A lot of people are focused on what happened, which is terrible and tragic. But at the end of the day when this stuff is over and the vigils are done, there’s still 50 homes that are broken.”

The song doesn’t have a definite title yet, but Willis suggested “50 cars in the parking lot.” He hopes to make a recording of it soon. In the meantime, here are the lyrics:

There’s 50 cars left in the parking lot.

50 cars, [my lord ]

There’s 50 mothers waiting at the door.

There’s 50 mothers at the door.

There’s 50 mothers waiting at the door.

50 mothers [my lord]

There’s 50 roses picked by hate

There’s 50 roses picked by hate.

There’s 50 roses plucked up by hate

50 roses [my lord]

All we need is a little more love

All we need [my lord]

All we need [is a little more love.]

All we need [my lord]

There’s 50 homes turned into a house.

There’s 50 homes my lord.

There’s 50 homes turned into a house.

50 homes [my lord]

50 homes [my lord]

There’s 50 cars left in the parking lot.

50 cars [my lord]

There’s 50 cars left in the parking lot

50 cars [my lord]

50 cars [my lord]

Daniel Rivero is a producer/reporter for Fusion who focuses on police and justice issues. He also skateboards, does a bunch of arts related things on his off time, and likes Cuban coffee.