City and Colour - The Grand Optimist

City and Colour's "The Grand Optimist" from Little Hell.

I fear I'm dying of complications
complications due to things that I've left undone
that all my debts will be left unpaid
feel like a cripple without a cane
I'm like a jack of all trades
who's a master of none

then there's my father
he's always looking on the bright side
saying things like "son, life just ain't that hard"
he is the grand optimist
I am the world's poor pessimist
you give him burdensome times
and he will escape unscarred

I guess I take after my mother

I used to be quite resilient
gain no strength from counting the beads on a rosary
now the wound has begun to turn
another lesson that has gone unlearned
but this is not a cry for pity or for sympathy

I guess I take after my mother

[jayyyyyyyd]

I have quite literally searched for this song for years. When I first heard it I was in the middle of a crippling heroin addiction and found solace in music. I went from a resilient young girl to a broken women sitting in the corner of a room with 10 strangers passing a pipe. This song never fails to make me ugly cry. 3 years sober today and listening to it now, it has a different meaning.

[erinkach]

My mom just died and all of the sudden this song shows up. My dad is a total optimist. Me... not so much. This has been on repeat for days. Hits real hard

[voicemakerrr]

I moved to Halifax a few days ago. I usually have lived in small towns and villages most of my life. When I was there, this song was being played at a concert by the ocean. A few hundred people, completely silent. Utterly silent. Everyone was just listening. Couples were holding each other, but there were a few of us who were alone. I think thats okay.

[sarah-janekennett]

this song makes me think of who our parents were to us and how we recognize them in ourselves as we age. it also makes us ask the question, " who are we to our children and how will they recognize us in them". who they become is up to them but how they choose is based on our guidance. 

[churasannoo]

this song in particular really helped me get through it when my dad died. he was always such a positive and genuine person, had a solution to every excuse, always had some sort of light to shed when someone was complaining

[giantsmla]

Doesn't cure a broken heart or a troubled mind, but consoles it..

[noelmcg]

My 23 yr old son played Dallas to me earlier today on way back from a lovely surf at Parrys beach Denmark WA.That was 6 hrs ago I have not stopped listening to his songs since.His music and lyrics are mesmerising and a gift to humanity.
Just booked 4 tickets to see him at Freo Art Centre 20 May.Spread the word he is a special and unique talent.Respect and joy at finding a beautiful voice to ponder in moments of reflection.Maybe there is a god ?

[beerookie]

This song has just the right amount of repressed anger in it. One of my favorites.

[mtwannahockaloogie]

I saw him sing this song on Wednesday in Toronto- it is absolutely astounding how AMAZING his voice is. This is beautiful, but hearing him live is just INCREDIBLE. If you were only to see one concert this year, City and Colour should be it.

[Exemptzz]

"I'm like a jack of all trades and a master of none." no sentence has been more applicable to my life

[courtneygold]

this song calms me. i am so thankful for City and Colour, they were the first soft music i used to control my crippling anxiety.

[melissamacdonald]

I wish I was stronger...that the people who promised to be there for me were...

[Unfourseen]

There haven't been too many artists in the past decade or so who have impressed me like City and Colour. Just shows good music really does still exist.

[nathanmagill]

An amazing song only thing id change is the rosary gives strength in unimaginable ways always pray to the queen of the holy rosary god bless!

[EpsilonA]

This song is so beautiful. All city and colour songs are fantastic

[GeraltinWoW]

Reminds me of my dad, he's truly the grand optimist supporting me in my educational path. Truly served as a motivation

[aesop]

Found out about this band right after my Father passed. For the life of ME I couldn't think of the band but that album cover and his name being Green and colors in the name. I finally found them. Took only about two years. Thank you.

[colddeepbasements]

I think all of his music is fantastic. I don't think he ever loses what makes each one great, that being his amazing lyrics and raw, pure, magical voice. I love this man.

[helkaer]

Hope your all hanging in there. its a lonely road we walk. someday someone will come walking down our paths.

[mattbritzius]

Its scary how applicable this is to my life.