Peter Gabriel, "Don't Give Up"

We had a son, and my wife lost her job, and my own paltry contributions weren't enough. 

I took a chance, and I tried something new to make ends meet. I failed at it, quite miserably. 

How worthless I felt. How meaningless I had become. How hopeless it seemed.

I had nothing else left. I'm not a good swimmer, and I looked down at the waters of Boston Harbor with keen interest on a drizzly January morning. 

Would it hurt? How long would it take?

She didn't deserve this, and she ought to have better. 

He shouldn't have been born into this, and he ought to have better. 

What a weight I have become. Weight sinks, right?

They will say you are a coward. Let them say it. They would think differently if they knew how it felt.

Something is still nagging. 

Is there a place? 

Despite all of this, can I still give something, anything at all?

Yes.

So I'm not done. The flowing waters are for later. 

Peter Gabriel w/ Kate Bush, "Don't Give Up", from So (1986)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LMB6K4rTGU

In this proud land we grew up strong
We were wanted all along
I was taught to fight, taught to win
I never thought I could fail

No fight left or so it seems
I am a man whose dreams have all deserted
I've changed my face, I've changed my name
But no one wants you when you lose

Don't give up
'Cause you have friends
Don't give up
You're not beaten yet
Don't give up
I know you can make it good 

Though I saw it all around
Never thought that I could be affected
Thought that we'd be the last to go
It is so strange the way things turn

Drove the night toward my home
The place that I was born, on the lakeside
As daylight broke, I saw the earth
The trees had burned down to the ground

Don't give up
You still have us
Don't give up
We don't need much of anything
Don't give up
'Cause somewhere there's a place
Where we belong

Rest your head
You worry too much
It's going to be alright
When times get rough
You can fall back on us
Don't give up
Please don't give up

Got to walk out of here
I can't take anymore
Going to stand on that bridge
Keep my eyes down below
Whatever may come
And whatever may go
That river's flowing
That river's flowing

Moved on to another town
Tried hard to settle down
For every job, so many men
So many men no one needs    

Don't give up
'Cause you have friends
Don't give up
You're not the only one
Don't give up
No reason to be ashamed
Don't give up
You still have us
Don't give up now
We're proud of who you are
Don't give up
You know it's never been easy
Don't give up
'Cause I believe there's a place
There's a place where we belong

Written in 1/2004