Mama, Don't Give Up!

This song came to me one night. The words kept running through my head all day until I put them down on paper. While I write a lot of poetry about our family’s experience with addiction, this is the first time a song came to me. It was also strange that it came in the voice of a person struggling with addiction who wants recovery, rather than in the voice of a mother, which is the voice I use in my writings. Because it was such a different experience, I didn’t know what to make of it. I sent it to JD to see what he thought. He worked his magic and turned it into this beautiful song that is simple like it was in my dream but, hopefully, powerful as well. The struggle is very real for our loved ones. We hope this song gives them a voice, even if it is just a small one. We hope you like it!

Mama, Don’t Give Up!

By: Rose Barbour

I’m dying on the outside

And screaming within

It’s a deadly game

That no one wins.

The people that I’ve hurt

At every turn

The roads I’ve travelled

The bridges I’ve burned.

Mama, I hurt so bad

From this life I’m living

The addiction that I have

Is so unforgiving.

Through the darkness

There’s a glimmer of hope  

That I might break free

If I can somehow cope.

With nothing to lose

I’m taking control

Reclaiming my life  

And my heart and soul.

Chorus

Mama, I hurt so bad 

From this life I’m living

The addiction that I have

Is so unforgiving.

Please forgive me

For the pain I’ve caused

I hate myself

But I was so damn lost.

Turning a nightmare

Into a dream

The power is in me

I want to believe.

So, Mama, don’t give up

I am on my way

Keep your hope alive 

And continue to pray.

Who I was

Is not who you see

This life is hell

It has hardened me.

Please forgive me

For the pain I've caused  

I hated myself

But I was so damn lost.

So, Mama, don’t give up

I am on my way

Keep your hope alive 

And continue to pray.

Song Lyrics by Rose Barbour

Music by JD White

http://shadowsinpei.blogspot.ca/2015/04/mama-dont-give-up.html