About the song
A story for this song hasn’t been added yet.
Words from the artist’s archive
LIVING TO BE LIVING lyrics
Artist-supplied lyric sheet, matched by title. The sheet may differ from this released performance. Production notes and alternate promotional cuts are omitted.
Read the lyric sheet
Intro
Father God, I pray before the first drum lands Keep us moving when the math gets out of hand
Verse 1
Milk went up, bread went up, cart came back thin Paycheck touched the bank, then the bills rushed in Gas hand leaning left, rent notice leaning right Numbers on the screen trying to ration out a life We cut wants to needs, then the needs got cut Store brand in the cup, but the total doubled up Coupon in the palm, calculator by the plate We learned to make a little carry more than its own weight
Chorus
Living to be living, Father God, I pray Only You know how we make it through the day Prices keep on rising, feels like every single day You will never lead us, never lead us astray
Verse 2
Kitchen-table math with a pencil worn down One shift gets added when the rent comes around Parents hide the worry, keep the laughter in the room Kids outgrow the sneakers before payday can move Neighbors trade a ride, pass a plate, share a lead Dignity ain't measured by the size of what we need Pressure can divide us, make us guard what we can spare Or turn a borrowed ride into an answered prayer
Chorus
Living to be living, Father God, I pray Only You know how we make it through the day Prices keep on rising, feels like every single day You will never lead us, never lead us astray
Verse 3
I do not ask for gold, just enough to keep us fed Peace inside the room when the balance shows in red Faith ain't a coupon, prayer ain't a receipt It may not move the number, but it steadies shaking knees Then we rise with a plan, call a friend, share a ride Grace can wear work clothes and sit right by our side No promise that the road gets easy by sunrise Only that a price tag cannot measure human life
Bridge
When the cupboard echoes, give us room to share When the meter climbs, give us patience there When the pressure whispers, "turn against your own" Put a wiser word inside our bones We are more than balances, more than what we owe More than any figure on a payment screen can show Keep our feet together when the narrow road gets steep Guide us through the cost and guard the ones we keep
Chorus
Living to be living, Father God, I pray Only You know how we make it through the day Prices keep on rising, feels like every single day You will never lead us, never lead us astray
Inside the recording
Father God, I pray before the first drum lands Keep us moving when the math gets out of hand
Living to be living, Father God, I pray Only You know how we make it through the day
Living to be living, Father God, I pray Only You know how we make it through the day
Excerpts from artist-supplied lyric files matched by title. Lyric sheets may differ from the released performance.