For nearly two decades we’ve been writing group songs with young men and women who are fighting to recover from trauma. We work to give them a safe, non-judgmental space to explore their feelings.
Over the years the kids have produced a mountain of amazing and unforgettable work. They have written sad songs, happy songs, hopeful songs, and – every now and then – goofy songs. Sometimes the songs are all of these things.
Here’s a really sweet and wonderful song called “Colors,” written over the course of two sessions earlier this year. I feel like the kids have captured a complete range of emotions, from sadness to a powerful message of hope and healing.
If I could feel in colors
I think I would feel gray
Suppressing my emotions
Keep ‘em in a cage
Depression makes me tired
Just like a rainy day
Maybe I am selfish
But I wanna feel okay
Chorus:
I just wanna feel okay
Make me feel less gray
I just wanna feel okay
Make me feel less gray
If I could feel in colors
I think I would feel blue
Hiding my emotions
That is just the truth
When I’m feeling jealous,
That’s when I feel green
My thoughts are stained with envy
And the truth remains unseen
Chorus:
I just wanna feel okay
Make me feel less gray
I just wanna feel okay
Don’t wanna feel these shades
If I could feel in colors
I think I would feel pink
Blooming like a flower
Blowing in the breeze
If I could feel in colors
I think I would feel free
I am trying so hard
To be all I can be
Chorus:
I just wanna feel okay
Make me feel less gray
I just wanna feel okay
I wanna feel these shades
