A Place To Stand
Patty Griffin Lyrics

Here on the inside looking at the outside
Feeling trapped and disconnected, observing the world from a confined perspective

losing my memory faster than my pride
Experiencing a declining sense of self-worth and identity

Here I am baby, blind as a bat outta hell
Feeling lost and unaware, lacking direction and purpose

Cut me loose of that ball and chain
Desiring freedom from burdens and constraints

Packed up a glad bag hopped on a train
Leaving with optimism and determination, embracing new opportunities

to the land of the lonely, as far as I can tell
Venturing into a realm of isolation and solitude, as far as personal perception allows

I was laughing like a fool on fire
Expressing joy and excitement recklessly, oblivious to potential consequences

candle burning into my hand
Enduring pain and suffering while grasping onto hope

sitting like a bird on a wire
Feeling precarious and vulnerable in an uncertain position

I had to find me a place to stand
Necessity to establish stability and a sense of belonging

Here is a man (?) with his poison pen
Encountering an individual known for their destructive and venomous words

and his children in armor and frustrated men
Witnessing the impact of his negative influence on those who follow him, causing frustration and aggression

and women who don't know why they were sent here at all
Observing women who lack direction and purpose in their lives, questioning their purpose

You might think that we'd had our fill
One might expect that we have experienced enough hardship

and we'd stand up and fight if we just had the will
If only we possessed the determination, we would take a stand and resist

if we just had a little more time to love something
Given more time to cultivate love and passion, we would find the strength to fight

We're all laughing like fools on fire
Collectively, we are blindly and recklessly finding joy in precarious situations

candle burning into our hands
Simultaneously suffering and enduring pain as we hold onto hope

sitting like birds on a wire
Existing vulnerably and uncertainly, perched on a precarious position

I got to find me a place to stand
Individually, there is a pressing need to establish stability and a sense of belonging

Foolish heart don't have no rest
A naive heart never finds peace or solace

from the moment your head leaves your mama's chest
From the time of birth, there is no respite from life's challenges

from the moment you hold the child in your hand
Even when nurturing and protecting others, there is no escape from the struggles

from that moment until you find your place to stand
The search for stability and a sense of belonging extends throughout life

Little bit older, years going by
Growing older with time passing

Squeezing that stone but my word's still dry
Exerting effort and trying relentlessly, but lacking the expected outcome or result

Here I am here I am
Presenting oneself, emphasizing existence and being

Laughing like a fool on fire
Expressing joy and excitement recklessly, oblivious to potential consequences

candle burning into my hand
Enduring pain and suffering while grasping onto hope

sitting like a bird on a wire
Feeling precarious and vulnerable in an uncertain position

I had to find me a place to stand
Necessity to establish stability and a sense of belonging