Something More Than Free
Jason Isbell Lyrics

When I get home from work
After finishing my day job

I'll call up all my friends
I'll reach out to my social circle

And we'll go bust up something beautiful
We'll engage in activities that may result in temporary destruction or transformation of something that looks great to us

We'll have to build again
We'll have to start over with a new venture or project

When I get home from work
After finishing my day job

I'll wrestle off my clothes
I'll take off my garments

And leave 'em right inside the front door
I'll abandon them close to the entrance

Nobody's home to know
There's no one around to be aware of my actions

You see the hammer finds the nail
A tool is designed to fulfill a particular purpose

And a freight train needs the rails
A mode of transportation requires a path to follow

I guess I'm doin' what I'm on this earth to do
I suspect that all of my actions are aligned with my purpose of being on this planet

I don't think on why I'm here or where it hurts
I don't ponder the deeper questions of existence or my personal suffering

I'm just lucky to have the work
I consider myself fortunate to have employment

Sunday morning I'm too tired to go to church
I lack the energy to attend religious services on the first day of the week

But I thank God for the work
I express gratitude for my job

When I get my reward my work will all be done
When I receive my compensation, my labor will cease

And I will sit back in my chair beside the father and the son
I will relax in a position next to the divine figures of Christianity

No more holes to fill and no more rocks to break
There won't be any further tasks or difficulties to overcome

And no more loading boxes on the trucks for someone else's sake
There won't be any more manual labor for the benefit of others

You see the hammer needs the nail
A tool is only useful when paired with the right counterpart

And the poor man's up for sale
Those with less privilege can be bought and sold

I guess I'm doin' what I'm on this earth to do
I suppose I'm fulfilling my reason for existence

I don't think on why I'm here or where it hurts
I don't dwell on existential or emotional pain

I'm just lucky to have the work
I consider myself fortunate to be employed

Every night I dream I'm drowning in the dirt
Each evening, my subconscious mind imagines suffocating in soil

But I thank God for the work
Regardless, I offer gratitude for my job

And the day will come, I'll find a reason
At some point, I will discover the motive for my existence

Somebody proud to love a man like me
Someone will take pride in caring for a person like myself

My back is numb, my hands are freezing
My physical body is weary and cold

What I'm working for is something more than free
The purpose behind what I invest effort in is more valuable than mere liberation

I don't think on why I'm here or where it hurts
I don't reflect on the deeper questions of existence or my personal suffering

I'm just lucky to have the work
I consider myself fortunate to be employed

Sunday morning I'm too tired to go to church
On the first day of the week, I lack the energy to attend religious services

But I thank God for the work
Nonetheless, I convey my appreciation for my job