.
You Can’t See
You watch me get off the truck and think
He’s overweight; out of shape
And too old to do this job
For firefighting is a physical business
Requiring agility; as well as ability
To protect life and property
But you’re not able to see inside of me
Unable to chart, what’s in my heart
And that is the key
Because of physical strength and stamina
A man is strong; able to prolong
That which he endeavors
But no amount of physical qualities
Can make you do, what scares you
Like the power of a courageous heart
The strongest of men can be stopped in their tracks
As danger nears; overcome by fears
When facing their own mortality
Firefighters know their most important quality
Is strength of heart; to do their part
Despite their natural fears
When we’re called upon, we’ll risk our lives
We’ll dare to go; although we know
This time we may not return
The inner strength and the inner courage
That it requires; to fight these fires
Is something you can’t see
Tom Kenney - 2008
“Walk The Walk”
In this business
It’s very easy
To talk the talk…
But it’s not as simple
To have the courage
To walk the walk
It takes somebody
A little bit different
To do this work…
Someone with heart
Somebody with balls
And a little berserk
As people run out
We’re running in
For that’s our way…
Into the unknown
It’s difficult to do
Even if easy to say
No other profession
Is quite the same
As being a firefighter…
Risking your life
For the sake of others
No job could shine brighter
When the fire’s over
And the danger’s done
You can take pride…
In the fact that you
Have done your job and
Not tried to hide
Only other firefighters
Really know who
Walks the walk…
And which ones are
Only capable of
Talking the talk
For inside the building
Is where you prove
Of what you’re made…
Experience or brawn
We each make our own
Contribution to the fray
When I find my body’s
No longer able
To walk the walk…
I’ll have to face the fact
That it’s my time to
Walk the walk – away
Copyright 2005 - Tom Kenney
What People Think…
Some people think we don’t have fear
Crawling through a door to disappear
Into the smoke, because someone’s there
We have it, but don’t show it
Some people think we don’t feel pain
That there’s a magical power we attain
To keep us from breaking under the strain
We feel it, but control it
Some people think we don’t understand
When all the dreams they had planned
Go up in smoke by an arsonist’s hand
We understand, they just don’t know it
Some people think we don’t know how
To feel compassion, and not allow
Our hardened hearts to feel the sorrow
We know how, but won’t let it
Some people think we can’t express
Our inner feelings with tenderness
And show our frailties and our weakness
We can, but we won’t do it
What firemen think…
Firemen say that we don’t care
What people think about us
The truth be told, we’re well aware
But don’t like to make a fuss
This hero thing is overblown
And makes us ill at ease
We’d rather that we be known
As the men who heed their pleas
So we stand tall, and force ourselves
To fight another fight
Never showing that this living hell
Leaves us wondering if we’re right
For is it right to share our burdens
Transferring the sadness to others
Or should we simply hold them in
And keep them among our brothers
Tom Kenney - 2005
I Never Signed Up For This
From the day I swore to serve and protect
I knew the day might arrive
When I would be put to the ultimate test
Not sure if I’d come out alive
I accepted this fact as part of the job
The job I was born to do
I hoped against hope that I’d never be tested
But deep inside, I knew
I knew that it would only be a matter of time
Before I’d choose my path
Just as I knew that I would be honor-bound
To face the fiery wrath
Although I never wanted to have to die on this job
I was prepared to, just the same
And every time that I felt I cheated death
I was the winner of that game
How could I have imagined that one day soon
It would come to this
The man so used to helping others would be
In need of an assist
I once walked around with my head held high
So able-bodied and strong
And now I can’t even fend for myself
I need help to just get along
My wife and my family are now put to the test
Each and every day
Though they’re always willing and up to the task
I can’t bear to live life this way
I always thought I could handle whatever was dealt
But I’m lost in an endless abyss
I pray every day God will take me away
‘Cause I never signed up for this
Tom Kenney - 2007
Our Chaotic Dance
Viewed from above
A dance in motion
Graceful and peaceful
As waves on the ocean
Light from the fire
Flickers in the dark
Ebbing and flowing
Spitting out sparks
Smoke fills the air
Softening the scene
Riding the wind
Calm and serene
Too far away
To hear any sound
Just blurs of colors
Moving on the ground
The orange of the flames
And red strobes of light
Reflect off the pond
And disappear in the night
All of the dancers
Seem lost in the haze
There’s a magic in the night
That’s missing in the days
Although it looks to the eye
That chaos abounds
There’s an order to the scene
As the players dance around
Each movement has a purpose
Though it’s not clear to you
These men know one another
They know just what to do
A fireground can seem confusing
To those who watch us toil
Not seeing the order in our tasks
They get lost in all the turmoil
We’ve trained for this many hours
We leave nothing to chance
That’s how the chief orchestrates
Our chaotic dance
July 17, 2007 - Tom Kenney
This Life’s Blues
This life’s been gettin’ to me lately
I feel like it’s bringin’ me down
This life’s been gettin’ to me lately
I feel like it’s knockin’ me down
Been givin’ all I have to give
Still no one wants me around
I’m suckin’ in more shit every day
And it ain’t gettin’ any better
I’m suckin’ in more shit every day
And it ain’t gettin’ any better
‘Cause no matter what else we breathe in
There’s just no way to kill us any deader
I just wanna go home at the end of my shift
And I care ever less about the on-duty shit
I can’t keep givin’ my heart and soul
To those not worthy of it – not worthy of it
This life’s been gettin’ to me lately
I’ve taken the good as far as it’ll go
This life’s been gettin’ to me lately
I’ve taken the good as far as it’ll go
And that’s the very saddest part of all
I used to know that I knew what I know
Lately I wonder if my effort’s in vain
For the streets seem so full of hate
Lately I wonder if my effort’s in vain
For the streets seem so full of hate
I’m beginnin’ to think no matter my deed
We’re all headin’ for a horrible fate
I just wanna go home at the end of my shift
And I care ever less about the on-duty shit
I can’t keep givin’ my heart and soul
To those not worthy of it – not worthy of it
It used to be clear who were the bad guys
And who wore the white hats
It used to be clear who were the bad guys
And who wore the white hats
But these days there’s nothin’ that’s clear
Even some white hats are rats
The mean city streets are no place to be
Not even to try to lend a hand
The mean city streets are no place to be
Not even to try to lend a hand
For the city streets – take no prisoners
And they’re no place to take a stand
I just wanna go home at the end of my shift
And I care ever less about the on-duty shit
I can’t keep givin’ my heart and soul
To those not worthy of it – not worthy of it
Once upon a time my job was rewardin’
A fireman could make a difference
Yeah, once upon a time my job was rewardin’
And a fireman could make a difference
But now it seems that no one really cares
It takes more than mere perseverance
I’ve been abused by the politicians so much
My compassion’s all but gone
I’ve been worn down by the violence that I see
My compassion’s all but gone
But I still feel the urge to make things right
I guess that’s what keeps me goin’ on
I just wanna go home at the end of my shift
To my kids and to my wife
I’ll keep on givin’ my heart and soul
For this is my chosen life
Tom Kenney - 2006
You Can’t See
You watch me get off the truck and think
He’s overweight; out of shape
And too old to do this job
For firefighting is a physical business
Requiring agility; as well as ability
To protect life and property
But you’re not able to see inside of me
Unable to chart, what’s in my heart
And that is the key
Because of physical strength and stamina
A man is strong; able to prolong
That which he endeavors
But no amount of physical qualities
Can make you do, what scares you
Like the power of a courageous heart
The strongest of men can be stopped in their tracks
As danger nears; overcome by fears
When facing their own mortality
Firefighters know their most important quality
Is strength of heart; to do their part
Despite their natural fears
When we’re called upon, we’ll risk our lives
We’ll dare to go; although we know
This time we may not return
The inner strength and the inner courage
That it requires; to fight these fires
Is something you can’t see
Tom Kenney - 2008
“Walk The Walk”
In this business
It’s very easy
To talk the talk…
But it’s not as simple
To have the courage
To walk the walk
It takes somebody
A little bit different
To do this work…
Someone with heart
Somebody with balls
And a little berserk
As people run out
We’re running in
For that’s our way…
Into the unknown
It’s difficult to do
Even if easy to say
No other profession
Is quite the same
As being a firefighter…
Risking your life
For the sake of others
No job could shine brighter
When the fire’s over
And the danger’s done
You can take pride…
In the fact that you
Have done your job and
Not tried to hide
Only other firefighters
Really know who
Walks the walk…
And which ones are
Only capable of
Talking the talk
For inside the building
Is where you prove
Of what you’re made…
Experience or brawn
We each make our own
Contribution to the fray
When I find my body’s
No longer able
To walk the walk…
I’ll have to face the fact
That it’s my time to
Walk the walk – away
Copyright 2005 - Tom Kenney
What People Think…
Some people think we don’t have fear
Crawling through a door to disappear
Into the smoke, because someone’s there
We have it, but don’t show it
Some people think we don’t feel pain
That there’s a magical power we attain
To keep us from breaking under the strain
We feel it, but control it
Some people think we don’t understand
When all the dreams they had planned
Go up in smoke by an arsonist’s hand
We understand, they just don’t know it
Some people think we don’t know how
To feel compassion, and not allow
Our hardened hearts to feel the sorrow
We know how, but won’t let it
Some people think we can’t express
Our inner feelings with tenderness
And show our frailties and our weakness
We can, but we won’t do it
What firemen think…
Firemen say that we don’t care
What people think about us
The truth be told, we’re well aware
But don’t like to make a fuss
This hero thing is overblown
And makes us ill at ease
We’d rather that we be known
As the men who heed their pleas
So we stand tall, and force ourselves
To fight another fight
Never showing that this living hell
Leaves us wondering if we’re right
For is it right to share our burdens
Transferring the sadness to others
Or should we simply hold them in
And keep them among our brothers
Tom Kenney - 2005
I Never Signed Up For This
From the day I swore to serve and protect
I knew the day might arrive
When I would be put to the ultimate test
Not sure if I’d come out alive
I accepted this fact as part of the job
The job I was born to do
I hoped against hope that I’d never be tested
But deep inside, I knew
I knew that it would only be a matter of time
Before I’d choose my path
Just as I knew that I would be honor-bound
To face the fiery wrath
Although I never wanted to have to die on this job
I was prepared to, just the same
And every time that I felt I cheated death
I was the winner of that game
How could I have imagined that one day soon
It would come to this
The man so used to helping others would be
In need of an assist
I once walked around with my head held high
So able-bodied and strong
And now I can’t even fend for myself
I need help to just get along
My wife and my family are now put to the test
Each and every day
Though they’re always willing and up to the task
I can’t bear to live life this way
I always thought I could handle whatever was dealt
But I’m lost in an endless abyss
I pray every day God will take me away
‘Cause I never signed up for this
Tom Kenney - 2007
Our Chaotic Dance
Viewed from above
A dance in motion
Graceful and peaceful
As waves on the ocean
Light from the fire
Flickers in the dark
Ebbing and flowing
Spitting out sparks
Smoke fills the air
Softening the scene
Riding the wind
Calm and serene
Too far away
To hear any sound
Just blurs of colors
Moving on the ground
The orange of the flames
And red strobes of light
Reflect off the pond
And disappear in the night
All of the dancers
Seem lost in the haze
There’s a magic in the night
That’s missing in the days
Although it looks to the eye
That chaos abounds
There’s an order to the scene
As the players dance around
Each movement has a purpose
Though it’s not clear to you
These men know one another
They know just what to do
A fireground can seem confusing
To those who watch us toil
Not seeing the order in our tasks
They get lost in all the turmoil
We’ve trained for this many hours
We leave nothing to chance
That’s how the chief orchestrates
Our chaotic dance
July 17, 2007 - Tom Kenney
This Life’s Blues
This life’s been gettin’ to me lately
I feel like it’s bringin’ me down
This life’s been gettin’ to me lately
I feel like it’s knockin’ me down
Been givin’ all I have to give
Still no one wants me around
I’m suckin’ in more shit every day
And it ain’t gettin’ any better
I’m suckin’ in more shit every day
And it ain’t gettin’ any better
‘Cause no matter what else we breathe in
There’s just no way to kill us any deader
I just wanna go home at the end of my shift
And I care ever less about the on-duty shit
I can’t keep givin’ my heart and soul
To those not worthy of it – not worthy of it
This life’s been gettin’ to me lately
I’ve taken the good as far as it’ll go
This life’s been gettin’ to me lately
I’ve taken the good as far as it’ll go
And that’s the very saddest part of all
I used to know that I knew what I know
Lately I wonder if my effort’s in vain
For the streets seem so full of hate
Lately I wonder if my effort’s in vain
For the streets seem so full of hate
I’m beginnin’ to think no matter my deed
We’re all headin’ for a horrible fate
I just wanna go home at the end of my shift
And I care ever less about the on-duty shit
I can’t keep givin’ my heart and soul
To those not worthy of it – not worthy of it
It used to be clear who were the bad guys
And who wore the white hats
It used to be clear who were the bad guys
And who wore the white hats
But these days there’s nothin’ that’s clear
Even some white hats are rats
The mean city streets are no place to be
Not even to try to lend a hand
The mean city streets are no place to be
Not even to try to lend a hand
For the city streets – take no prisoners
And they’re no place to take a stand
I just wanna go home at the end of my shift
And I care ever less about the on-duty shit
I can’t keep givin’ my heart and soul
To those not worthy of it – not worthy of it
Once upon a time my job was rewardin’
A fireman could make a difference
Yeah, once upon a time my job was rewardin’
And a fireman could make a difference
But now it seems that no one really cares
It takes more than mere perseverance
I’ve been abused by the politicians so much
My compassion’s all but gone
I’ve been worn down by the violence that I see
My compassion’s all but gone
But I still feel the urge to make things right
I guess that’s what keeps me goin’ on
I just wanna go home at the end of my shift
To my kids and to my wife
I’ll keep on givin’ my heart and soul
For this is my chosen life
Tom Kenney - 2006
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