This is Carl’s work and an outstanding song. My contribution was try to soften it a bit after we were told it was a bit mean. You can do everything in the world for your children, but once they leave the nest you cannot live for them too. All that is left are the lessons we taught them. I did write the hell verse after observing the broken heartedness of my own children a few years ago. Guess I did not just soften things up. – MK
So much of what we learn growing up we dismiss as ‘nothing’. The brief discussions, the decade and a half observing little things, most the time without ever discussing them–we nothing to us. Dad or Mom sat me down for the ‘big things’, so everything else must’ve been ‘nothing’. But here at my tender age of ___, I realize that the things I regarded as ‘nothing’ were the very things that have shaped me. And “For Free” is my assurance to my kids that hopefully, I’ve given you enough of the “nothings” to get you through the grief you will undoubtedly encounter. -CG
Talk-Teacher to the wild, father to his child
Laying down the plan
Walk-standing on your feet, on your own two feet
Show me you’re a man
So when you find yourself pinned against a wall
We know exactly the name you’re gonna call
But I got nothing but words to offer you
At least the nothing I give you is free
Strife-Always gonna come, never see it done
Take it best we can
Life- Always there’s a ledge, sometimes on the edge
Gotta be a man
So when you find yourself standing on the rim
And all that’s around is looking mighty grim
And I have nothing but love to offer you
At least the nothing I give you is free
Hell-Think that you’re in hell, your heart is just a shell
Dying in your chest
End-When’s it gonna end? No energy to spend
Praying for rest
So when you find yourself standing on the brink
I know you’re looking for me to help you think
I don’t have any ideas to toss to you
At least the nothing I give you is free
Strife-Always gonna come never see it done
Take it best we can
Life- Always there’s a ledge ever on the edge
Show me you’re a man
So when you find yourself pinned against a wall
We know exactly the name you’re gonna call
But I got nothing but words to offer you
At least the nothing I give you is free
So when you find yourself standing on the brink
I know you’re looking for me to help you think
I don’t have any ideas to toss to you
At least the nothing I give you is free
