THREE AND A HALF LETTERS

Released on September 27, 2011

« I’m 37 years old,
Married to my childhood sweetheart,
Two beautiful girls, two and a half and four.
Worked nine years at the plant where my father worked,
And his father before him.
I have a B.A. but laid off seven months ago.
It’s been hard tough so many others,
But I still believe,
Can you help, brother?
Can you help?

[Chorus]
I need a job, I need a job.
I’m willing to work but I need a job.
I stand in the street with a sign in my hand,
But I need the work I need a job.

I just returned from Afghanistan,
Spent four years in the military service.
I’m 24, strong and I can’t find work in my hometown.
I’m married with one beautiful son,
Seven months old today.
Never had a chance to buy a home,
Can’t afford the apartment we’ve been living in,
Moving in with Debbie’s parents, whose home is now in foreclosure.
Can you help?

[Chorus]
I need a job, I need a job.
I’m willing to work but I need a job.
I stand in the street with a sign in my hand,
But I need the work I need a job.

[Guitar Solo]

I’m sorry this letter is hand-written but I don’t have a computer,
I don’t have access to one.
I’m 51 years old,
I lost my wife to breast cancer three years ago.
Lost my job of 26 years one year later,
I’m homeless with no one to turn to,
I’ve been through a lot, bother,
I heard you like to help people.
Well, I need help.

[Chorus]
I need a job, I need a job.
I’m willing to work but I need a job.
I stand in the street with a sign in my hand,
But I need the work I need a job.

Got nothin’ left,
Lost it all.
Can I get back to zero,
Zero, zero, zero, zero, zero,
I need a job.

[Guitar Solo]

And the last letter said:
I’m nine years old and homeless.
Fuck! »