Today would be the 56th birthday of brother Franklin. Before him, we lost our father at about the same age. I wrote this song for them, and all the people who are struggling with addictions. I tried to put some of the wisdom and compassion I've learned (a lot of it in recovery rooms and therapy sessions) into this song.
Human Beings
I wish at least that you could talk about it
And see the hands extended out to you
You know my dad he was an alcoholic
My brother died of substance abuse
The monsters living at the back of our closets
Are just like mushroom growing in the dark
Take em out an put em on the table
In the light of day it all just falls apart
I wish you’de see that there are so many helpers
So many living with the same disease
Cause every time you flirt with suicide
I’m helpless and angry, in disbelief
I pray for smart and sensitive souls
Right now spinning out of control
Trying to free themselves from their freefall
There's no shame in seeing yourself
As someone who needs a little help
We all need someone's help to see
that’s what it means to be human beings
You play it cool out on your own private island
I'm calling out to you as we sail past
But you can’t hear me over the screaming sirens
Don’t want no help off of your Alcatraz
See there is a trick to getting out of the nightmare
You have to learn to say the devil’s name
You have to call him out and stand before him
You have to practice looking in his face
Until you do he’s growing in that darkness
Stranglin your heart and twistin up your mind
Each day he blows out another candle
Each night he dims the light behind your eyes
For all the smart and sensitive souls
Right now spinning out of control
Trying to catch themselves in their freefall
There no shame in seeing yourself
As someone who needs a strong dose of help
We all need some tough love to see
that’s what it means to be human beings
I’m dealing daily with my own damn problems
I’m seeing how bad they can really be
And when I’m living in a state of denial
I’m walking round with internal bleeding
I feel so many hearts holdin me gently
I’ve learned that I can say the devil’s name
I’ve learned to count upon enlightened soldiers
To help me to live with all the shame the remains
I’m staring straight into to the face of the monster
Cuz I know I've got an army at my back
I know he will not lay a finger on me
Unless he can separate me from the pack
Cuz I’m a smart and sensitive soul
Who could right now be down in the hole
Trying to be myself from my freefall
I’ve learned the bravery and sense to admit
When I’m headed toward some serious shit
It’s only when with a whole lot of love
I get to be completely human, baby
