"There but for the Grace of God," you say it to be kind
But do you really think, my friend, that God's left me behind?
It's true my body does not work the same as many folks'.
But my life is mostly happy. And my heart is far from broke.
You tell me that I'm "Special," but then you look away.
You call me "Inspirational," then ignore the things I say.
Well -- I won't be your metaphor for Grace (or lack of Grace).
'Cause I am simply human in this complex Human Race.
I would like to have you know: I'm happy as I am.
I just want all the rights expected by the Common Man:
The right to learn, the right to work, and travel as I please.
The right to live the life I choose is not for charity.
You tell me that I'm "Special," but then you look away.
You call me "Inspirational," then ignore I say.
Well -- I won't be your metaphor for Grace (or lack of Grace).
'Cause I am simply human in this complex Human Race.
Yes, I'm brave (some of the time); I am a coward, too.
I can be kind (or greedy). I am human -- just like you.
Don't put me on that pedestal, and leave me stuck up there.
Because every human being has their unique gift to share.
Don't tell me that I'm "Special," before you turn away.
Don't call me "Inspirational," 'til you know the things I say.
Use no one as a metaphor, in any time or place.
'Cause we're all just simply human in this complex Human Race.
Yes, we're all just simply human
In this complex human race
10 comments:
Well said!
It's horrible that we use labels that can be so 2 sided. Just dropped by to let you know that the #82 Disability Blog carnival is up now. Thank you so much for being part of it and i found your very first posts most interesting.
Great! Just great message and meaning....thanks!
Dave doesn't know it, but he really is a co-author of this song. :-)
I first wrote it in 2008, and the second verse was completely different. The original was:
There are things that I wish for,
But walking is not one.
I would like equal access
To my place out in the sun.
And I would like the freedom
To choose where I may live.
And I'd like you to accept the gifts
I know I have to give.
And, to be honest, it always bothered me... But I couldn't put my finger on why, exactly (except that "my place out in the sun" is the language of mainstream pity porn). But Dave's recent posts about how it's important not to express gratitude clarified the problem.
In the original verse, I was asking, very sweetly, for a place a the table, when that place was always been mine by rights. So I was inspired to do a rewrite (and the second version scans better, to boot)
By the way, here's the song that made me angry enough to write "Simply Human," in the first place: It's not just what you're born with by Si Kahn (a great songwriter, usually, but he really missed the mark on this one).
Dear CapriUni:
Wow! and Thanks!
I love - we're all just simply human in this complex human race.
Colleen
Colleen --
Thank You. And yes; whichever muse was looking over my shoulder that day handed me a real nugget of gold with that one.
(I'll take credit for "I won't be your metaphor," but everything else feels like a gift from Somewhere Beyond).
Wonderful song! I always admire songwriters and singers who can put the exact words to the feelings and get the point across so perfectly. And then to be able to sing acappella! Bravo! I can't carry a tune in a bucket.
I loved your song!
Excellent!
Excellent!
Excellent!
Post a Comment