Jesse’s Song

To listen to the song
click below

Jesse’s mother was living in Upstate New York when we found out she had become seriously ill. I needed to find a way to tell Jesse, who was four at the time, of the potentially tragic situation. It took me days to be able to play this song for him without crying.

Oh, Jesse. What are we going to do about Mama?
She’s so sick, and I’m so tired
I’m really sorry this has all come around
Don’t want to let it get us down
Oh, Jesse. What are we going to do about Mama?

Oh, it isn’t the kind of thing that you plan for in life
The best laid plans often turn to strife
Whose to say where we go from here
I’m on a path, but it’s not to clear

Well, I guess it’s just the two of us now
I know we’ll make it, but I don’t know how
You know what I’m like, and you know I’m strong
But I really haven’t been a father too long

Oh, Jesse. What are we going to do about Mama?

I know you’re gonna need me more these days
And that’s okay, I’ll never be far away
I’m gonna need help just like you
But taking help is so hard for me to do

Oh, Jesse. What are we going to do about Mama?

And then someday I’ll try to tell you why
Making sense out of life will make you cry
And why the acts of god can cause us pain
And make our sunny days turn to rain

So, when you ask why, try to understand
That’s what I ask, too, but I don’t know of who
So, sit on my lap, and we’ll sing a song
Let’s sing real loud, it’ll make us strong

Oh, Jesse. What are we going to do about Mama?