I had three songs for this record and then I added the Laura song and thought I needed one more song. I wrote a song about Abraham Lincoln, but I didn't think it would work. So I wrote "All I have" in like two minutes and recorded it on the spot to get an impulsive element to it.
lyrics
All I Have
Verse 1
I used to have dreams of movin' forward
Not having to say one more word
To live in world where all was equal
Same opportunities for all people
But I guess I had to give up
on goals to which I could never live up
Verse 2
I used to dream of a world without riches
Where different thinkers don't get burned as witches
I wanted to know what I did had meaning
And I didn't get lost in pointless dreaming
But I guess it's basically true
These are things I can never do
Chorus
Cuz I can't change the world
I can't hardly change myself
I just want to know
if there's some way I can help
I'd just like to know if I could take one for the team
But for now all I have is a dream
Verse 3
I used to have hopes for a better future
"But that won't work", oh, are you sure?
Where there's no such thing as extended excess
A place for all creeds, races and sexes
But I guess you are right
A change like that won't happen overnight
Verse 4
I used to dream of getting better
Of one day getting myself together
To work hard and never give in
And that little hope what was got me livin'
But now, what is left?
Just knowing I did my best?
credits
from Extended Excess,
released November 17, 2016
Words and Music by Read Hard
More folk-inflected confessionals on love, loss, and anxiety — plus a Kacey Musgraves cameo —from the Nashville indie pop auteur. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 11, 2024