Story Behind The Song

I wrote this song about a friend of mine in Chicago who spend a large amount of time tutoring a young girl living in the Cabrini Green housing projects. They developed a good relationship, but an addicted and very dysfunctional mother discouraged the friendship.

Song Description

A poignant yet upbeat "60's-infused" song about a young girl growing up in an inner-city housing project. Jangly guitars, a strong drum backbeat, and powerful vocals add a danceable energy to this bittersweet story/song.

Lyrics

So you tell her that
you're leaving
She knew that there would
come a day
You've inspired her and tired her
and made her picture more
What else could a little girl
like her ever hope for?
And you know your lives
are opposites
like starlight in a storm
She spends the day as if to say
I'll never be much more
as she disappears in a darkened
room and double-bolts the door
No she don't care, she won't cry
well no way
And everything her eyes have seen
makes her older in some ways
So fly 'round the world
leave some kindness when you go
Cause though she's seen a world of
things she's never even seen Ohio
Leaving, she's leaving now
a little life along the way
Growing, she's growing up
a little time goes a long,
long way
Well you want to give her
everything and you want to
show her how
to welcome love and rise above
and never slip between
the cracks that line the street,
the walls, her heart
and the ceiling
Chorus