What’s the Matter with the Children?

Bubba Patrick & Darlene featuring The Holler Shakers, Original North Georgia country gospel blues and country soul, Bubba mature warm gritty MALE baritone verse1; Darlene unmistakably FEMALE soulful alto verse2; distinct solo turns and close male-female duet choruses, Clear natural words, organic live ensemble, Bracket instructions and chords are not sung, Complete resolved ending, no abrupt cutoff, G major 84 BPM, Compassionate gospel-country soul finale, piano acoustic guitar B3 pedal steel fiddle, bass brushes, building male/female duet; harmonica closing motif, Signature progression: Holler Roll-Up G6–Em7–Cadd9–D7; Lantern Turn finale G6–Bbmaj7–Cadd9–Cm6–G/D–E7–A7 D7–G6

[Chorus: duet]
What's the matter with the children?
Let's be gentle when we ask.
Is there something they are carrying?
Can we help them with the task?
Make a little time for talking,
Let them know their voice is heard.
Let our love become a welcome
They can feel beyond the words.

[Verse 2: Darlene, female]
Some need room for laughter, some need help to say
What has made the morning feel so far away.
Some need steady guidance, someone kind and strong,
Someone who can stay beside them when the day goes wrong.
We won't guess their story from a moment passing by,
We can ask and we can listen, we can look them in the eye.

[Bridge: alternating, quiet then build]
[Bubba] And the grown ones at the table need a place of welcome too.
[Darlene] Years don't end the longing for a love that's deep and true.
[Duet] Father, turn our hearts toward You, teach our hands to care,
Let the smallest and the oldest find a welcome waiting there.

[Final chorus: duet, gospel harmonies]
What's the matter with the children?
Let's be gentle when we ask.
Is there something they are carrying?
Can we help them with the task?
Make a little time for talking,
Let them know their voice is heard.
Let our love become a welcome
They can feel beyond the words.
[Outro: duet]
One more chair, one open door,
Room for love and room for more.
Father, teach us how to dwell,
With a listening heart, and all is well.
[Harmonica recalls opening collection motif, resolved G6, natural ending]

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[Intro: piano, warm acoustic guitar] [Verse 1: Bubba, male] There's a question floating through a crowded room, Why the little heart is quiet, why the heavy mood. Before we reach for labels, before we set the blame, Could we pull a chair up, call the child by name? Every life is different, every story takes some time, Love can start by listening to the voice behind the sign. [Chorus: duet] What's the matter with the children? Let's be gentle when we ask. Is there something they are carrying? Can we help them with the task? Make a little time for talking, Let them know their voice is heard. Let our love become a welcome They can feel beyond the words. [Verse 2: Darlene, female] Some need room for laughter, some need help to say What has made the morning feel so far away. Some need steady guidance, someone kind and strong, Someone who can stay beside them when the day goes wrong. We won't guess their story from a moment passing by, We can ask and we can listen, we can look them in the eye. [Chorus: duet] What's the matter with the children? Let's be gentle when we ask. Is there something they are carrying? Can we help them with the task? Make a little time for talking, Let them know their voice is heard. Let our love become a welcome They can feel beyond the words. [Bridge: alternating, quiet then build] [Bubba] And the grown ones at the table need a place of welcome too. [Darlene] Years don't end the longing for a love that's deep and true. [Duet] Father, turn our hearts toward You, teach our hands to care, Let the smallest and the oldest find a welcome waiting there. [Final chorus: duet, gospel harmonies] What's the matter with the children? Let's be gentle when we ask. Is there something they are carrying? Can we help them with the task? Make a little time for talking, Let them know their voice is heard. Let our love become a welcome They can feel beyond the words. [Outro: duet] One more chair, one open door, Room for love and room for more. Father, teach us how to dwell, With a listening heart, and all is well. [Harmonica recalls opening collection motif, resolved G6, natural ending]

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