Paul Harrison asked me to set music to his lyrics and I finally got it made on the very last day of the FAWM 2023 challenge. As I wanted to keep these poignant and thoughtful words firmly in focus, I went for a rather simple melody and chord progression. The pump organ makes this years only appearance, and is balanced with some refreshing mandolin.
Lyrics
Verse 1:
A teenager is slow to get up
That may not seem too surprising
The alarm sounds to wake her
But only her agony is rising
The mirror in her room reminds her
She knows everyone sees her as Tom
But inside she feels like Theresa
Few understand besides Mom
CHORUS:
She’s just trying’ ’tryin
Tryin’ to find her place in this world
Verse 2:
The line in the shelter is long
A young family stands and waits
While people in a distant building
Review cases and determine their fate
They traveled to Poland from Ukraine
Hoping for shelter from the war
Leaving their homeland in tatters
Needing help to have hope restored
(CHORUS)
They’re just trying’. tryin’
Just tryin’ to find a place in this world
BRIDGE:
So many people are searching
Unsettled…afraid… alone
Looking for understanding
Hope…and a hand to hold
V. 3
I came across an old fella’
As I walked a path by the bay
He approached with such a concerned look
And asked “Are you doing okay?”
Soon his companions said “he does that
To everyone he comes across”
Maybe more of us should be askin’
You never know who’s feeling lost
We’re all trying’. tryin’
Just tryin’ to find a place in this world