It can be tricky to distinguish between a true injustice which needs correcting and a situation which feels unfair but needs to be accepted.  David was inspired to tackle the issue of fairness by the experience of choosing volunteers during Two of a Kind performances.  After we had finished calling on members of the audience, we would try to alleviate the discomfort of the remaining kids by inviting them to chant "It's just not fair!".  Although the humor of this approach helped somewhat, it left David asking himself: "but what about the times when it's really not fair?"

My mom took my brother and me to a show
The performers asked for volunteers.
I raised my hand, but my brother got picked
I could feel my eyes fill up with tears.
I turned to my mom, and said "That's not fair!"
and my mom said what she always says:

Refrain 1:
"Life isn't always fair
and you won't always get a turn.
You're not the only one;
It's just something you'll have to learn."

At the break, we went to the concession stand
to get ourselves a drink and a snack.
A man cut right in front of us,
when he really should have been in the back.
I turned to the man and said "That's not fair!"
and he said what my mom always says: 

Refrain 2:
"Life isn't always fair
and I'm not gonna wait my turn.
You're not as big as me;
It's just something you'll have to learn."

Chorus 1:
But what about the times when it's really not fair?
And what about the ones who don't get their share?
Should you really pretend that you just don't care?
When you come across the times when it's really not fair?

After the show, we were walking home
We saw a man asleep by the street.
I thought about how he had to live in the cold
while we have blankets, beds and heat.
I turned to my mom, and said "That's not fair!"
and she almost said what she always says, but she stopped
- and said instead:

Chorus 2:
"I guess that there are times when it's really not fair
I guess that there are those who don't get their share.
We can't pretend that we just don't care
When we come across the times when it's really not fair."

I thought about what's fair and what is not
I tried to make it all make sense.
I'll try to change what I can and accept what I can't
And I'll learn to tell the difference.
'Cause sometimes when I say "That's not fair!"
I have to learn I can't get my way -

Chorus 3:
But there are also times when it's really not fair
And there are also those who don't get their share
We can't pretend that we just don't care
When we come across the times when it's really not fair.

Tag:
I wanna play my part and do my share -
I'm gonna live my life to make the world more fair!

 

© David Heitler-Klevans. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

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