I woke up with these lyrics in my head at 5:09am last Friday morning. I reached over and spoke them into my voice recorder (screenshot below).
Blues is my favourite musical genre and as these lyrics took shape today (the Sunday after), I had a person in mind as the singer who could own these lyrics with her own arrangement.
For now, though, the key theme for me is learning to own the scars of life and to share the few most basic truths that seem universally applicable. In this song, it is the perpetual reminder that when crap happens, sometimes, yes, sometimes, a door opens and it it worth stepping through it.
I see so many opportunities in my life arose from such things. At the very pedestrian level, most recently, my car phone holder snapped and a bought a new one. The new one is 100 times better than the old one and makes everything easier and safer. Why did I persevere with the old one for so long? Well, I knew no better and there was no incident to push me out of my nest.
Finally, this song works through three stages of acceptance of the refining power of pain and discomfort and missteps: getting older, realising you are more together than you have ever been, and that you are liberated by this new disposition.
I hope something in this song resonates with you.
Old Enough To Sing The Blues Lyrics
[Verse 1]
I’m old
Old enough, to sing the blues
I’m old
Old enough, to sing the blues
There ain’t no part of me
There ain’t no part of me
That ain’t been bruised
[Chorus]
I’ve been hurt
I’ve been lost
I’ve been curt
Paid the cost
I’ve been robbed
I’ve been torn
I’ve been snubbed since
I was born
But now I’m calm
I am content
Because every
Every single enemy
Is spent
[Verse 2]
I’m whole
Whole enough, to face the blues
I’m whole
Whole enough, to face the blues
I’ve paid the price
I’ve paid the price
I’ve no more left to lose
[Chorus]
I’ve been hurt
I’ve been lost
I’ve been curt
Paid the cost
I’ve been robbed
I’ve been torn
I’ve been snubbed since
I was born
But now I’m calm
I am content
Because every
Every single enemy
Is spent
[Bridge]
I’ve learned lessons in this life …
I’ve learned lessons through the blues …
And my scrapbook recollection …
Is to remember you can choose …
(For) When each disaster comes …
A door can open wide …
Fight the urge to run …
Take a breath,
Take a breath,
Take a breath … and step inside
[Verse 3]
I’m free
Free enough, to sing the blues
I’m free
Free enough, to sing the blues
Don’t fight them
Don’t fight them
They’re a sign you’ve paid your dues
[Chorus]
I’ve been hurt
I’ve been lost
I’ve been curt
Paid the cost
I’ve been robbed
I’ve been torn
I’ve been snubbed since
I was born
But now I’m calm
I am content
Because every
Every single enemy
Is spent