[Verse 1] The alarm goes off at dawn, the coffee’s still hot Another dose of real life, another day’s lot File number eight is rising on my desk Forms and reports—who dreamed up this mess? Some say we only drink tea, sit around in a ring Wear dreadlocks, play guitar, and don’t pay for a thing But they don’t see the worlds we balance every day Between laws, crises, and losing ourselves along the way [Chorus] We are the net that catches you when the ground gives way We stand in the shadows, but we bring a ray We don’t cure diseases, we don’t print the pay But we hold a little of the world’s wreckage at bay No applause for overtime inside the system’s frame We are here to see the person, not the name [Verse 2] Out on the street with kids who have no place to call home In the counseling office, behind doors closed and alone In care homes, women’s shelters, where addiction takes its toll We don’t manage case files—we’re dealing with a soul “Help them help themselves,” the textbooks say in bold But sometimes hope won’t let you go, even when you’re worn and cold You see a little victory when a face lights up again And know, without a doubt, no money can repay that then [Chorus] We are the net that catches you when the ground gives way We stand in the shadows, but we bring a ray We don’t cure diseases, we don’t print the pay But we hold a little of the world’s wreckage at bay No applause for overtime inside the system’s frame We are here to see the person, not the name [Bridge] Yes, the funds are running dry, and staffing’s at the edge It’s a marathon few notice, a long and quiet pledge Sometimes mad at the system, sometimes tired of the fight But at the end of every day, it’s humanity lived right [Outro] File closed. Coat on. Another day is through. Tomorrow starts again—social work, tried and true. Thanks to all of you out there who struggle every day; Without you, nothing on these streets would find its way. Because of you, people learn to hope and see; Lived humanity can live again, set free. [Final Chorus] You are the net that catches us when the ground gives way. You’re no longer in the shadows—we can see your light today. You don’t cure the sick, and you don’t print the pay, But you hold a little of this broken world at bay. Give applause for all your work, the hours in the frame; You are here to see each person, not a name. [Instrumental: piano and cello outro]
