Un-Earned Grace
Paul Fritzler
August 2007
Open D
This song was inspired by a story I heard on NPR about a guy that needed a kidney transplant very quickly, or he would die. So, although he was placed on a waiting list, he had very little hope and had pretty much accepted the fact that he would die soon. Un-known to him, a group of ten of his friends gathered to discuss which of them would donate one of their kidneys to save their friend.
The story goes on to describe how the decision was made, and how it saved the guy. It’s a great story, but what struck me the most was listening to this guy repeating over and over that he was un-deserving of this. He used the phrase “Un-earned Grace” to describe that in his mind, he had never done anything to warrant the “grace” that allowed his live to continue, when so many others end. Anyway, it stuck….and it became this song.
1st
You might think you’re lucky, and you might think its fate.
You might even think its karma baby, you know I can relate.
But since we ain’t done noth’in to deserve a better state.
And the fact remains we've done some things that just can't be erased.
So when all the gods are smiling baby, we better pray for unearned grace.
2nd
You stuck a needle in your arm a few to many times,
you’ve drunk yourself half to death, your liver is on fire.
The hepatitis Cs got you, a generation’s private referee.
You aint done much amaz’in lately, so you better pray for unearned grace.
3rd
While we're sitt’in here lets contemplate the entire human race.
Ask yourself if we've done enough to earn a state of grace.
Mother nature’s getting pissed, it's more than she can bear.
If we keep dirv’in SUVs, shoot’in shit into the air.
We better do something amazing baby, or start to pray for unearned grace.
4th
Now lets assume that I've been good, the apple of Gods eye.
My heart is pure, my soul is clean to that I'd testify.
Lived my life by all the rules, and I never questioned why.
Now that would be amazin', so I'd better pray for unearned grace.