We All Have Stuff

 

This song was written for  a talent show at Vera French Community Mental Health Center in Davenport, IA, in June of 2023.  Because I was out of town for the actual show, I recorded a video.

 

The background of this page is green for Mental Health Awareness Month.

 

 

She can’t get out of bed. She cannot face another day.

She hasn’t drawn a happy breath since fate took him away,

and down the street a neighbor leaves to head on in to town.

He doesn’t have the strength to face the hole he’s falling down.

The boy goes off to school with figures dancing in his head,

and he’ll try to pay attention but he’ll dance with them instead.

The teacher’s wife still loves him though he can’t quite explain 

why she tries to give him pleasure when he gives her so much pain.

 

Refrain

We all have stuff!  We all have stuff!

Yes, you and me and he and she and they.

We all have stuff!  Too much not enough!

We’re all just struggling to make another day.

We’re all just struggling to make another day.

 

That car that cut you off today was driven by a man

who’s going through some things at home his boss won’t understand.

The lady at the checkout line has pasted on a grin

to cover up the emptiness she’s always felt within;

and over there the bikers, all covered with tattoos,

are taking chances ‘cause they feel there’s nothin’ left to lose.

The problems aren’t all life and death, but all of them are rough,

and rarely is the answer just to make yourself more tough

(Refrain)

 

(Instrumental)

I have my share of problems, and you each have problems, too.

Yes, everyone has days when they just don’t know what to do.

I don’t know all the answers, but I think a place to start 

is to see each other in ourselves and open up our hearts!

(Refrain)

 

Final Refrain

We all have stuff!  We all have stuff!

Yes, you and me and he and she and they.

We all have stuff! Life can be rough,

but love from and to all makes a better way.

Yes, love from and to all makes a better way!