Hello all! I hope you're all well. I wanted to share this with you: So I went to the mall last night looking for a birthday present. My husband and son went to a different store and left me to look at the women's things, and as I was shopping, a man approached me. He said he didn't mean to bother me, explained he was homeless, lost everything with a divorce and has not eaten in two days. He said he was a vet, and he asked managers to help as well and nobody would help him. I had no cash, and truly wanted to help, but didn't want him following me to an atm either. I said to him "let me talk to my husband". I know my husband would've given him some cash. Before I finished the word "husband" he gave me a frustrated wave and said "I'm going to the food court" and walked away. I felt awful. I also felt a little offended that he was perturbed with me. But I think it was due to all of the rejection he experienced. I didn't say no. I called my husband, but no answer. Maybe 15 minutes later my husband and son showed up, I explained what happened, and we figured the guy was gone (food court upstairs and other side of the mall from where I was) but my husband said "can't save the world, honey". A few thoughts I had as I reran the scenario in my head as we were driving home....he had clean new boots on, he didn't look unshaven and had three scabs on his face. I had my doubts, but I still felt he was sincere. Could be donations, shower at the ymca, who knows. I still felt bad. I wondered where he goes, sleeps etc. It made me sad. So I wrote this song. Of course I embellished and got creative with the lyrics, but that's where it came from. So the questions are... should it be "Under the Bridge" or "Under A Bridge". It seems a little slow to me, and the final lines at the end I'm thinking could be stronger. Any suggestions would be great! And I just recorded it roughly, after only one cup of coffee, so excuse the vocal/guitar. Lyrics follow:
Excuse me ma'am, I don't like to ask
Could you spare a five, or just a dollar
cause it's been two days
since I last ate
Lost my wife and I lost my job
Nobody's givin' a dime or a damn
and it's cold today
it's cold today
FIRST CHORUS:
How do I live?
under a bridge
Hard to rely on
people to give
I fought with my life on the line
to come home to this
I've been livin
under a bridge
I don't drink but it sure sounds good
when ya can't find warmth
in a city where nobody
looks my way
under that highway
I know Jesus, pretty well
I've got three best friends in the ground
and they're waitn up there
I tell 'em how much I miss 'em
how much I care
SECOND CHORUS:
When I'm prayin'
under a bridge
the words I'm sayin'
might not mean a bit
But I sware to you
that I'm a good man
even if
I've been livin'
under a bridge
(break)
Wildflowers growin in the summer sun
around four gravestones
I knew he went back home
where he was safe and warm
I know Jesus pretty well
I see the old newspapers and a cross
painted on the inside
of the tunnel where I cried
FINAL CHORUS:
I've been prayin
under a bridge
the words I'm sayin
might not mean a bit
He fought with his life on the line
to go home
and he is
He was waiting
under a bridge
Just waiting
under a bridge
https://soundcloud.com/kellyannegsongs/under-a-bridge