It’s not just about the blues, although
Blues is what everybody gets;
Fooled by love and taken advantage of
Is how you know you’re alive and human.
A father doesn’t have to love you
As long as he provides food, clothing, and shelter,
Without skipping town to gamble on luck
In some junior league that will let him play ball.
And you don’t have to love him either
No matter what the preacher may say,
’Cause preachers need love so much
That they make themselves a God out of it.
A mother doesn’t have to love her children
But she does, usually, and never forgets
Or forgives their later betrayals,
Because that’s the piano she leaves in her will.
Some folks got it worse than others
Because of the color of their skin
Or the lack of money, but just being born
Doesn’t mean society has got to love you.