MUSIC > Home of the Broken

Home of the Broken

ABOUT THE SONG:

"Home of the Broken" began with a few simple words from a good friend, Terina Turner. We were driving on what was definitely the wrong side of town (if not the world). Terina has a way of saying a thousand things with a few words. She has a way of pointing out what I don't see.

Not long ago, I learned a true definition of "broken". Imagine it's cold outside. You are all by yourself. You have no coat, no shoes and no one; and you are two years old. I met a little girl so sweet, and so smart; wise beyond her years. Left to fend for herself while her siblings were at school all day. Lost at "home"; her maternal counterpart encompassed in a fog of drugs and alcohol. Seeing her day after day, learning that I could do nothing but get her out of the road when no one else would, or put a coat on her or some shoes, was one of the hardest lessons I have ever had to learn. I have prayed I could save her from the fate that surely lies ahead. The same fate that was handed down from generation to generation may find her in its own time. Abuse of any kind begets abuse of any kind until the cycle is terminated. If you're reading this and you think for a second that a child is in danger, don't be afraid to follow your instincts. While you may not be able to stop the disease, you will be a component of the cure.

This song is for that little girl and every child like her and every adult who was ever in her shoes (if you had them to wear).

LYRICS:

HOME OF THE BROKEN
Words & Music by Heather Little and Terina Turner
©2005

Must sell, runs good
Dog sittin’ on the hood
Smack dab in the middle of where the police won’t go no more

Three words, two rings
One girl doin’ anything
To get the hell out of Dodge

There wasn’t always love in Daddy’s hands,
And through his eyes, the wounds were hard to see
This life is the only one she’s ever known
In the land of the brave and the home of the broken
The home of the broken

Midnight runs red
Lying in the devil’s bed
He told her last time he would never hurt her again

Grey dawn comes ‘round
Waking up in the same damn town
And in the same battered skin she’s always been in

There wasn’t always love in daddy’s hands
But through his eyes, her wounds were hard to see
This life is the only one she’s ever known
In the land of the brave and the home of the broken

Scrape up the pieces
Make one last phone call
Saddle up and ride away and one day you’ll be whole again

There wasn’t always love in daddy’s hands
Through his eyes, the wounds were hard to see
You’re strong enough to leave it all behind
In the land of the brave and the home of the broken.
The home of the broken
You’re not broken