When The World Turns Its Back

[Verse 1 – Quiet, vulnerable] I’ve spent my life with open arms, Catching people as they fell, Carried burdens that weren’t mine, And kept the stories I could never tell. I’ve been a father, been a husband, Been the friend who never walked away, Held the hands of broken strangers, Found the words when they had none to say. I’ve watched the tears of frightened children, Taught young hearts to stand up tall, Worn a smile through my own sorrow, Made sure no one faced their fall. But somewhere in those forty-eight years, While I was trying to make things right, I forgot that even strong men Need someone to hold them through the night. [Pre-Chorus – Voice beginning to break] And now the walls are closing in, The ground is giving way, I’m screaming without making a sound, And everyone’s looking away… [Chorus – Powerful, heartbreaking] When the world turns its back on me, Who’s gonna catch me when I fall? I’ve been the arms that held them up, But there’s no one here at all. I’ve given pieces of my heart Till there’s nothing left to give, I’ve taught a thousand souls to fight, While forgetting how to live. And God, I don’t need saving, I just need someone to see, That the man who carried everyone Has fallen to his knees. When the world turns its back on me… Who’s gonna turn around for me? [Verse 2 – Raw, deeply personal] I’ve sat beside the beds of strangers, When their world was torn apart, I’ve listened to their deepest fears, While hiding cracks inside my heart. I’ve stood beside the young and hopeless, Told them dreams were worth the fight, Been the voice that said, “Keep going,” When they couldn’t see the light. I’ve been the rock inside my family, The shoulder everybody knew, The one they called when life got heavy, The one who always pulled them through. But now my hands are shaking, And my strength is running dry, The phone that never stopped ringing Has gone silent when I cry. [Pre-Chorus 2 – Building desperation] I never asked for medals, Never needed their applause, Just thought the love I gave away Might find me when I lost it all. [Chorus – Bigger, with soaring vocals] When the world turns its back on me, Who’s gonna catch me when I fall? I’ve been the arms that held them up, But there’s no one here at all. I’ve given pieces of my heart Till there’s nothing left to give, I’ve taught a thousand souls to fight, While forgetting how to live. And God, I don’t need saving, I just need someone to see, That the man who carried everyone Has fallen to his knees. When the world turns its back on me… Who’s gonna turn around for me? [Bridge – Almost whispered, breaking into a cry] Forty-eight years of being strong, Forty-eight years of holding on, Forty-eight years of saying “I’m fine,” While breaking a little more inside. Who holds the healer when he’s hurting? Who lifts the father when he’s down? Who hears the husband crying softly When there’s not another soul around? Who tells the coach he’s done enough? Who tells the friend that he can cry? Who puts their arms around the man Who’s spent his whole life asking why… Why is it when they needed me, I never let them fall? But now I’m standing on the edge, And no one hears me call… [Final Chorus – Explosive, desperate, tearful] WHEN THE WORLD TURNS ITS BACK ON ME, WHO’S GONNA CATCH ME WHEN I FALL? I GAVE MY LIFE TO LIFT THEM UP, NOW I CAN BARELY STAND AT ALL! I DON’T NEED SOMEONE TO FIX ME, I DON’T NEED TO BE SET FREE, I JUST NEED ONE PAIR OF OPEN ARMS THAT’S WAITING THERE FOR ME! I’ve been the strength behind their smiles, The shelter from their rain, But who will sit beside me now And help me through this pain? When the world turns its back on me, And I have nothing left to give, Will somebody finally notice That I need some love to live? [Outro – Piano only, almost spoken] I never wanted the world… I never asked for much… Just someone who would notice When I needed a human touch. I’ve caught so many falling hearts, Never thought I’d fall alone… And the hardest part of breaking… Is that everybody thinks I’m still the strongest man they’ve known. (Long pause) I was there for everyone… Where is everyone… Now that it’s my turn to fall?