Story Behind The Song

This is probably the most personal song on my record--though by no means is it the only personal song. Many people who have listened to the album tell me that this is their favorite...This always strikes me--as I feel most vulnerable here. I wrote this song when I first moved to Boston, from the small town where I grew up (Titusville, FL). As with any other college student, I had gotten away from the nest and was contemplating how I was now able to free myself of the ties that had bound me for so long. (I'm stalling...) My relationship with my father was never what you would find on a Hallmark card...who's is, I suppose. I always felt like a lesser priority of his -- to those priorities that could be found within the church we attended (which happened to be pastored by my grandfather). For so long, I had never confronted my frustrations with this, and I guess that bottling up manifested itself in this song. After I finished the CD, I kept it from my father for quite a while...because, though I knew I needed to express myself, I didn't want to do so at his expense. Long story--a little bit shorter...he eventually heard the CD--and it did break his heart... but it did bring my entire family a bit closer. For that reason, I will always be grateful for this song.

Song Description

From the perspective of a person needing more support from those around him/her. At the end of the day, though, if you don't get what you need from others, it is up to you to parent yourself.

Lyrics

Here is the story:
prodigal son.
For twenty years now,
I've been on the run.
If I knew just what you wanted,
I'd run the other way...

I was so bitter.
You were never there.
You called it love,
but it seemed you didn't care.
If you showed me the direction,
I'd run the other way...

(I just needed you to)
lay down beside me and
tell me that everything is all right...

"It's all right - when you're feeling helpless."
"It's all right - everybody's got their hard times."
"It's all right - when you're feeling helpless."
"It's all right..."

You were so worried -
what the people saw.
Instead of family,
you focused on the walls.
If you showed me what you wanted,
I'd run the other way...

We kept pretending
that it would work itself out.
Communication
is what it's all about.
If you showed me the direction,
I'd run the other way...

chorus

I can't keep on running,
my soul is so tired...

double chorus...