All my life
Noel Paul Stookey Lyrics
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Now how was I supposed to know why she was crying
It isn't even like a kid you know
And if you're never born it's not like really dying
I called this guy; he knows this guy
He said 'bring her down...
And if it ever got around...'
'Congratulations' the clinic said
I had to laugh when the line went dead
I mean I could've called them back but should I bother now...
All my life I've been living in Mystery
All my life I've been waiting for you
Soon my life will become a reality
And new...
We run a service here; we keep it clean
We don't do anything without a doctor's orders
And if a couple of 'em lose their dreams
They'd lose a whole lot more than that across the border
You heard about the one who's out
The other side of town...
They tried to burn the building down...
I've got a cousin in New Orleans
She said that if I ever wanted I could move there
Keep the baby and get a job
And if I never finished school well who really cares now...
We told her straight; it's not to late
He's got to marry you
It's only for a week or two
Of course we love her; what a thing to say!
I can't imagine why she kept us all from knowing
And it'll all be over in a day
Is there a better place the baby could be going now?
Noel Paul Stookey's song "All My Life" is a heart-wrenching reflection on a young woman's decision to seek an abortion. The song's first verse starts with the singer implying that his partner only told him she was pregnant after the seventh week. He didn't know why she was crying; however, he was aware that it wasn't like having a child, and if it wasn't born, it wouldn't be like dying. At the point when he learned that his girlfriend was pregnant, she had already decided to seek an abortion. The singer called this guy, who knows a different guy. This guy offered to pay for the abortion if the singer brought his girlfriend down. The clinic congratulated them, and he hung up.
In the second verse, the singer heads back to the clinic, where the young woman is seen by three medical professionals. The professionals assure her that there's still time, and they'll do it quickly. The singer's thoughts reflect his emotions as the abortion progresses. As he waits anxiously, the singer reflects on his life, how he has been living in mystery and waiting for something that has been spoken into existence. New life is coming, but he's unable to accept it, and a part of him struggles with that fact. The third verse involves the interaction between the young woman, her parents, and the clinic. They tell her that she must marry her partner, and it is only for a week or two. They assert that they love her, but the singer emphasizes that he cannot imagine why she kept them in the dark.
Line by Line Meaning
She didn't tell me till the seventh week
She took seven weeks to tell me about her pregnancy.
Now how was I supposed to know why she was crying
I didn't understand why she was crying, as she didn't inform me about her pregnancy.
It isn't even like a kid you know
Having a baby isn't like having a kid.
And if you're never born it's not like really dying
If the baby is not born, it won't be a significant loss like dying.
I called this guy; he knows this guy
I contacted a person who had contact with the person I needed to go to.
He said 'bring her down...
He advised me to take her to the clinic.
And if it ever got around...'
If news of this visit to the clinic got out...
'Congratulations' the clinic said
The clinic congratulated us on the pregnancy.
"And does your husband know he's soon to be a father?'
The clinic asked whether my husband knew about the pregnancy.
I had to laugh when the line went dead
I laughed when the call ended abruptly.
I mean I could've called them back but should I bother now...
I could return the call, but I don't know if it's worth the effort.
All my life I've been living in Mystery
I've lived with considerable uncertainty throughout my life.
All my life I've been waiting for you
I've been anticipating your arrival for my entire life.
Soon my life will become a reality
My life is about to change drastically.
And new...
I expect new things to happen.
We run a service here; we keep it clean
We provide a clean and professional service.
We don't do anything without a doctor's orders
We only follow the orders of a licensed doctor.
And if a couple of 'em lose their dreams
If someone changes their mind about having a baby, they can lose their dreams.
They'd lose a whole lot more than that across the border
They may encounter much worse across the border.
You heard about the one who's out
You've probably heard of someone who went to the clinic.
The other side of town...
That person lives on the other side of the town.
They tried to burn the building down...
Someone tried to set fire to the clinic building.
I've got a cousin in New Orleans
I have a relative living in New Orleans.
She said that if I ever wanted I could move there
My cousin suggested that I could relocate to New Orleans anytime.
Keep the baby and get a job
I could keep the baby and find a job there.
And if I never finished school well who really cares now...
It doesn't matter if I didn't finish school.
We told her straight; it's not to late
We were honest with her that it was not too late to marry and have the baby.
He's got to marry you
He is obliged to marry her now that he's going to be a father.
It's only for a week or two
The marriage will only last for a week or two.
Of course we love her; what a thing to say!
Of course, we love her; that's a given!
I can't imagine why she kept us all from knowing
I wonder why she kept her pregnancy a secret from all of us.
And it'll all be over in a day
The wedding and the pregnancy will be behind us in no time.
Is there a better place the baby could be going now?
Is there a better place for the baby to be born than the present situation?
Contributed by Elena C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.