Hope (Be Still, Isaac Slade)

Rose: It's a fine line between denial and faith. It's much better on my side.
Charlie: Help me.
Rose: Baby, I'm not the one that can help you...
- Whatever the Case May Be

Once I finally started writing LOST songs again, Dad started sending me song suggestions, and this is one of those.  I was especially touched when I read the story behind this gentle song of encouragement; the songwriter's brother called him in the middle of the night, unable to sleep, and after their conversation, this song came to him organically as a response.

It made me think of Rose's efforts to motivate and comfort Charlie in Whatever the Case May Be, some of my favorite scenes in the series.  While she is there for him, she points him in the direction of a higher help he seems to have given up on...

Hope

I still have hope, and you can, too.

I still have hope Bernard is near.

I still have hope, and you can, too.

Things aren’t that bad, you know.

A monster came upon you.

Though Claire is gone, you’re not to blame.

I still have hope, and you can, too.

Just call upon God’s name.

You almost wish that you were dead.

You’ve never felt this low.

But don’t give in to gloom and dread.

Things aren’t that bad, you know.

This isn’t the finale.

Though the story may get darker still,

The Lord of Light will help you see.

He will, He will, He will.

Reach out for help, and faith will grow.

Before your life began,

The Lord was preparing to guide you.

He always has a plan.

I still have hope, and you can, too.

He always has a plan.

Bad Month (Bad Day, Daniel Powter)

"You're havin' a bad month." - John to Walt, Pilot, Part 2

"Vincent - I tethered him to a tree just over there. I know that Walt lost his mom. I thought that you should be the one to bring his dog back to him."- John to Michael, Tabula Rasa

For some reason, Michael and Walt are two characters I've neglected somewhat, but I love John's interaction with Walt in the pilot and his facilitation of his reunion with Vincent in Tabula Rasa.  I would imagine that, given how poorly he was parented, he is especially hopeful that Michael will give Walt the kind of love and guidance he himself so sorely needed.

Bad Month

Michael, I know what he’s missing the most,

And would you believe that I found what he lost?

I tethered his Lab up to that tree,

But credit for that won’t go to me.

It should be you who brings his dog.

You feel like your boy’s just a kid you don’t know;

As long as you try, you will learn as you go.

He needs a good dad, and you’ll do fine.

You’ll manage to make up for lost time.

It should be you who brings his dog

‘Cause he’s had a bad month.  He’s gotta feel down,

But he can stay strong since he has you around.

As long as he knows his dad’s on his side,

Your wandering child’s gonna take it in stride.

He’s had a bad month.  He watched his mom die.

Los Angeles bound, he was thrown from the sky.

He’s had a bad month.  He’s had a bad month.

Before he wakes up, just slip away.

Get Vincent and brighten up his day.

It should be you who brings his dog.

He’s had a bad month.  He’s gotta feel down,

But he can stay strong since he has you around.

As long as he knows his dad’s on his side,

Your wandering child’s gonna take it in stride.

He’s had a bad month.  He watched his mom die.

Los Angeles bound, he was thrown from the sky.

He’s had a bad month.  Oh, what a lousy month!

Sadly, a son can struggle and sink

If a parent he trusts is gone.

Before you make it back to L.A.,

He ought to know that you’re the one

He can count on.  Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

So hurry and go, and I swear I won’t boast.

Just you and I

Will know how you found what was hopelessly lost.

‘Cause he’s had a bad month.  He’s gotta feel down,

But he can stay strong since he has you around.

As long as he knows his dad’s on his side,

Your wandering child’s gonna take it in stride.

He’s had a bad month.  He watched his mom die.

He met you and thought, “Who’s this guy?”

He’s had a bad month.  He had a bad month.

Had a bad month.  Had a bad month.  Had a bad month…

Runaway Annie (Mail Order Annie, Harry Chapin)

"My wife died 8 months ago Wednesday. She left me with too many chores and a hell of a mortgage. If you help me with the first one, I'll give you a fair wage and a place to stay." - Ray, Tabula Rasa

We just rewatched Tabula Rasa, and I realized I don't have a single filksong associated with that episode.  That definitely needs amending, and when I decided to start with Kate's backstory, Harry Chapin's gently wistful song popped into my head...

Runaway Annie

My first thought was to turn my gun on you,

A winsome vagabond asleep in my pen.

But seems to me you’re on the run from somethin’, yeah, yeah.

I could use a farmhand; you could use a friend.

Runaway Annie, aren’t you tired of walkin’?

The chores are a strain since I lost my wife.

Runaway Annie, maybe fate is knockin’.

I think we'll help each other here.

We are entitled to start again in life.

You know, it is a pity you’ve evaded me

And kept your weekly wage in that tin can.

Don’t tell me you can’t wait until the mornin’, no, no.

I’ll drive you to the station like a decent, honest man.

Runaway Annie, aren’t you tired of walkin’?

I understand pain since I lost my wife.

Runaway Annie, maybe fate is knockin’.

I think that I could help you here.

You are entitled to start again in life.

I know it’s not my business what you’re runnin’ from;

You store your stash of secrets like the money in that wad.

But Annie, after three long months of labor,

Not saying a goodbye would be odd.

You know about my dirty plan; we’re not headed for the train.

My mortgage isn’t pretty; I can’t manage it alone.

And I hope you know how much I hate betrayin’ you,

But you run away, Annie, and I will lose my home.

Runaway Annie, aren’t you tired of walkin’?

The bills are insane since I lost my wife.

Runaway Annie, maybe fate is knockin’.

I think that you could help me here.

I am entitled to start again in life.