-- ALL ABOUT THE PAIN --

By John Herlihy

It’s all about the pain, Mama, all about the pain;

It’s rainin’ down heavy, and it’s all about the rain.

Still learning every day, Mama, still wanting to know;

Still finding things out, never stopped wanting to grow.

Still believing in myself, Mama, just like you said

Still making my own mistakes, still just being bled.

You told me I could do it, Mama, I could touch a star;

You said nothing could hold me back, I would wander afar.

Wander afar I did, Mama, you wouldn’t believe what happened;

Lived in many different places, home where a place beckoned.

I’ve seen a lot of suffering, Mama, seen a lot of suffering;

It left me kinda wondering about life, just kinda wondering.

You would have ended up proud, Mama, ended up proud;

I followed everything you told me, I always stayed unbowed.

I even made some gains, Mama, I even made some gains;

I hope to leave something behind, a little of what remains.

It’s all about the effort, Mama, always willing to try;

Nothing could have stopped me, never questioned why.

You never spoke of progress, Mama, only kindness and care;

You never spoke of ambition, only faithfulness and prayer.

My father was a hard worker, had a good heart, never said much;

My mother was the talker, kind-hearted, giving advice and such.

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(c) John Herlihy 12 February 2019