Written by Bethany Svoboda as part of Roots of American Music’s “Hough is My Home” series, a songwriting collaboration between ROAM teaching artists/musicians and senior adults who regularly attend the Fatima Family Center in Cleveland’s Hough community. Bethany collaborated with Ernestine Woods, a woman born and raised in East Cleveland. She has fond memories of raising her children and caring for her grandchildren and aging parents. Due to COVID – 19 Ernestine is pretty much restricting herself to home and limiting the number of people with whom interacts. She is eager to get back into the community and resume her social activities with her close friends.
Senior / Songwriter Collaborations
a songwriting collaboration
Other Than This
Songwriter: Bethany Svoboda
Senior: Ernestine Woods
Ernestine Woods
Lyrics
When it rains, it pours
I watch from my front door
No people pass by
Lonely am I and I
Just met my boo
We’ve got nothin’ to do
I’ll bake away the day
While the TV plays
Can’t we do something
Other than this
For all of those people I miss
Will things be the same are they
Forever changed
Parking lot prayers
Preachers in stereos
Cars in a line
But God’s on my side I’ll be fine
I’ve got time
Can’t we do something
Other than this
For all of those people I miss
For all of those people I miss
Spent years with my mother
Right by her side I’ve
Always given love
Now I must hide
And the children I’ve raised
And all of those days I gave you
I gave you
Can’t we do something
Other than this
For all of those people I miss
For all of those people I miss