Tug of War

Words & Music by Debra Alt ©2001

[mp3j track=”http://www.debrasong.com/samples/in-broad-daylight/10_sample.mp3″]

There’s laundry in the basement, dishes in the sink
The business line is ringing and I need some time to think
And I’ve got this little girl who needs to get to school
She’s behind a solid meal or two and testing all my rules

She wants to go to daddy’s house, she knows he won’t say no
To anything her heart desires, I just watch how far it goes
His voice soothes from the telephone, I can’t believe my ears
As I figure out which way to turn, I try to fight the tears

I am in a tug of war between the struggle and the score
I am fighting but I lose my way
Gotta stay on top of it, can’t afford to lose it
Gotta find my way through it, gotta stay on course for now

I pick her up at his house, I peer inside the door
There’s debris and crumpled clothing in a mess across the floor
Run my fingers thru her matted hair, kiss a face I long to clean
There’s so much I want to change here, and yet I must refrain

I am in a tug of war between the cause and who’s at fault
I am sorry but I won’t back down
Gonna see this to the end, gotta make it right again
Gonna draw the battle lines where they’ve never been before

(bridge)

Lying quiet in a bedroom of colors, and in their warmth we share
A language, weaving spirit like a song
Then suddenly his words through her mouth pierce my heart,
In so much that I want for her, he tears it all apart

I am in a tug of war between what’s right and wanting more
Too many questions I need answers for
Need to make some choices now, need to see them clear somehow
Gotta keep on trying just to find a better way

I am in a tug of war, between the struggle and the score
I am in a tug of war, between the cause and who’s at fault
I am in a tug of war between what’s right and wanting more ….