The six songs
These are the six songs from the book, one for each point I most want you to keep, each with its recording and its words. Sing the chorus every time.
If you are in crisis, call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or call 911.
1. Not a Failure
Chapter 1
Verse 1You wake and feel the weight again, You wonder what went wrong; You tell yourself you're weak inside, You should have been more strong. But hear me now, and hear me clear: That voice is not the truth; It is the illness talking, It is not the proof of you.ChorusYou are not a failure, You are not alone; A bruised reed He will not break, He will not leave His own. There's a cause, and there's a way, There are hands to help you through; You are not a failure, This is happening to you.Verse 2Elijah sat beneath a tree And said, "It is enough"; An angel came with bread and rest Because the road was rough. And Job, and Moses, Jeremiah Cried out in the night; Not one of them was faithless, Not one was left without light.ChorusYou are not a failure, You are not alone; A bruised reed He will not break, He will not leave His own. There's a cause, and there's a way, There are hands to help you through; You are not a failure, This is happening to you.BridgeSo rest, and eat, and tell someone, And let the doctor look; The page you're living through today Is not the whole of the book.ChorusYou are not a failure, You are not alone; A bruised reed He will not break, He will not leave His own. There's a cause, and there's a way, There are hands to help you through; You are not a failure, This is happening to you.
2. Look for the Cause
Chapter 8
Verse 1Before you blame yourself again, Before you call it weak, Remember that the body, too, Has its own way to speak. A thyroid running slow and low, A vitamin run dry, A medicine that changed your mood: There may be reasons why.ChorusLook for the cause, look for the cause, Let the doctor check it through; No test can name the sadness, But a test can find what's true. The thyroid and the B12, The pills you take each day: Look for the cause before you say It's you that's in the way.Verse 2A stroke, a tremor, or a birth, A long and heavy load; Sometimes the brain, sometimes the heart, Sometimes a lonely road. The doctor asks, the doctor looks, And rules the others out; And once the cause has found its name, There's less to live in doubt.ChorusLook for the cause, look for the cause, Let the doctor check it through; No test can name the sadness, But a test can find what's true. The thyroid and the B12, The pills you take each day: Look for the cause before you say It's you that's in the way.BridgeIt isn't in your head alone, It isn't lack of will; The body and the mind are one, So let them help you still.ChorusLook for the cause, look for the cause, Let the doctor check it through; No test can name the sadness, But a test can find what's true. The thyroid and the B12, The pills you take each day: Look for the cause before you say It's you that's in the way.
3. One Step at a Time
Chapter 12
Verse 1The doctor wrote the medicine, You filled it at the store; You're wondering if it's working yet, Or if you should take more. So keep your visits, keep the count, And tell the whole of it: The good, the bad, the in-between, The side effects that hit.ChorusOne step at a time, One day, then the next; Keep talking, keep taking, And let the good grow best. But never stop it on your own, Plan it side by side; One step at a time, With someone as your guide.Verse 2Some bring a queasy stomach, Some trouble with your sleep, Some change the way you love or eat; Tell all, there's none to keep. There's more than one to try, my friend, And talking therapy; If this one doesn't fit you well, There's others you can see.ChorusOne step at a time, One day, then the next; Keep talking, keep taking, And let the good grow best. But never stop it on your own, Plan it side by side; One step at a time, With someone as your guide.BridgeAnd when you're well, don't stop too soon; Six months, the guideline said; And if the darkness deepens early, Call before you go to bed.ChorusOne step at a time, One day, then the next; Keep talking, keep taking, And let the good grow best. But never stop it on your own, Plan it side by side; One step at a time, With someone as your guide.
4. A Joyful Heart
Chapter 15
Verse 1Elijah slept beneath the tree, An angel touched his head, And set beside him in the dust A jar of water and bread. So rest your body, feed it well, Before you climb the hill; The strength comes back a little more Each morning, if you will.ChorusA joyful heart is good medicine, A crushed spirit wears you down; So cast your cares on Him who cares, And let His peace surround. Give thanks in all things, rise and sing, Let the morning sun come in; A joyful heart is good medicine; Let the healing now begin.Verse 2Go walking when the sun comes up, Let daylight fill your eyes; Put down the bottle, call a friend, And watch the morning rise. The Shepherd leads by waters still And makes His children rest; Through darkest valley He is near, And He will do the rest.ChorusA joyful heart is good medicine, A crushed spirit wears you down; So cast your cares on Him who cares, And let His peace surround. Give thanks in all things, rise and sing, Let the morning sun come in; A joyful heart is good medicine; Let the healing now begin.BridgeThis life is not the whole story, Eternity's in view; The One who holds tomorrow Holds today, and He holds you.ChorusA joyful heart is good medicine, A crushed spirit wears you down; So cast your cares on Him who cares, And let His peace surround. Give thanks in all things, rise and sing, Let the morning sun come in; A joyful heart is good medicine; Let the healing now begin.
5. Reach Out
Chapter 17
Verse 1If the night is getting longer And the thoughts won't let you sleep, If you feel you are a burden And the dark is growing deep, Hear me now: that is the illness, It is speaking, it's not you; Those who love you want to hear you, They would rather see you through.ChorusReach out, reach out, Don't carry it alone; Call or text nine-eight-eight, Or call someone you know. Tell a friend, tell your doctor, Tell someone today; Reach out, reach out; There's help along the way.Verse 2Write it down while you are steady: All the signs that come before, What has helped, the names to call on, And the numbers by the door. Keep it where your hand can find it, Make it with a trusted friend; On the night the storm comes calling, You'll have words to help you mend.ChorusReach out, reach out, Don't carry it alone; Call or text nine-eight-eight, Or call someone you know. Tell a friend, tell your doctor, Tell someone today; Reach out, reach out; There's help along the way.BridgeAnd if you're the one who's watching, If you see a friend in pain, Listen more than you advise them, Stay, and call for help again.ChorusReach out, reach out, Don't carry it alone; Call or text nine-eight-eight, Or call someone you know. Tell a friend, tell your doctor, Tell someone today; Reach out, reach out; There's help along the way.
6. The Long Road Home
Chapter 20
Verse 1The road back isn't straight, my friend, It winds and climbs and falls; There will be days you lose some ground, And days you stand up tall. A step back is not failure, A setback's not the end; Keep walking on the road back home With someone as a friend.ChorusThis is the long road home, Step by step, day by day; You don't walk it on your own, There is light along the way. When the old signs come again, Don't wait, reach out, be known; We keep walking, keep on walking On the long road home.Verse 2Stay with the plan when you feel well, Don't stop because it's good; Keep sleeping, moving, talking, The way you know you should. And if the shadow comes again, You'll know it by its name; You'll call before it grows too strong, And walk this road again.ChorusThis is the long road home, Step by step, day by day; You don't walk it on your own, There is light along the way. When the old signs come again, Don't wait, reach out, be known; We keep walking, keep on walking On the long road home.BridgeMorning comes, the morning comes, The night won't hold the sky; And every step you take today Is light for by and by.ChorusThis is the long road home, Step by step, day by day; You don't walk it on your own, There is light along the way. When the old signs come again, Don't wait, reach out, be known; We keep walking, keep on walking On the long road home.