You may want to be quiet and still when you listen to this song. It was inspired by Kin Crawford whose journey caused me to challenge my complacency. The lyrics tell a true story about my friend with a heart condition who people ignored as he went unconscious waiting for a bus on a busy, Los Angeles street corner. I have walked by people on the street I assumed to be homeless, drunk, or just plain scary. His story got under my skin. It made me want to take a closer look and consider just who I might be walking past as I make my way through city streets.
Words and music © 2012 Jacqueline Jax Silva Harmony Playground, ASCAP, all rights reserved.
LYRICS
He’d been waiting on the corner
Felt the hard pain in his chest
Trying hard to catch his breath
He waved his arms in dismay
Many people saw him
As he fell to the ground
But everyone around looked away
CHORUS:
Would I have walked past him?
Would I have left him on the street?
Would I have thought that helping wasn’t safe or wise?
This man is a father
He is a son, a brother, a friend
Who could well have met his end
He gave so much to others
To be robbed as he lay out cold
That night, he grew much older
Than he’d care to tell
Though he felt like giving up
He forgave it easily
Oh, but what about me?
Can I forgive myself?
CHORUS
I might have walked past him
I might have left him on the street
I might have thought that helping wasn’t safe or wise
This man is a father
He is a son, a brother, a friend
Who could well have met his end
BRIDGE:
I just can’t assume anymore
If I can’t care, than what’s this life here for?
CHORUS:
Would I still walk past him?
Would I still leave him on the street?
Would I still think that helping isn’t safe or wise?
This man is a father
He is a son, a brother, my friend
Who could well have met his end