I can't stop crying. And this song is the reason why:

[Aristus]

This song plays over the credits of the new Benoit Blanc Mystery, "Wake Up, Dead Man." It sounds like old-time gospel. But if you listen to the lyrics, it's not. It rejects a religious outlook. It's despairing and bleak. There's no savior coming. But it does seem to offer some hope. Come on up to the house. Maybe it's a house we build for ourselves and each other. A place to find hope in community, in brotherhood, safety in numbers.

I don't know. I've never hurt this bad, or feared this much because of all that's going on.

Then there's this version. After Tom Waits' bellowing, barrelhouse roar, Willie Nelson's gentle, nasal cadences offer hope, and a chance at serenity, no matter how bad things get.

If anybody asks, no, I haven't been drinking. I'm just so tired and sad. And now elleng is gone...

[2naSalit]

1. It's a tough time...

Last edited Tue Dec 16, 2025, 10:49 AM - Edit history (1)

For so many.



Just remember that those who pass from the physical world are still with us in our memories, they are there until we join them on the other side... if you're inclined to observe such things.

[blm]

2. I've been thinking about elleng all day

I don’t know if I can handle this song tonight.
I’ll try tomorrow.

[appmanga]

3. It's a great song...

...and has some fine lyrics. "Come down from the cross, we can use the wood" is a great line.

[erronis]

4. Thank you, Aristus. A beautiful song - sad and hopeful - just like life.

I may wake up in despair and then move into a joy to be alive.

I'd be happy to tip one with you any day.

[Hope22]

5. When things feel like they can't get heavier.....

Take care. Sending love to you. 💗

[surfered]

6. Moving.....fine words. Peace 🙏

[LuckyCharms]

7. I've never heard this before.

I looked up the lyrics and followed along.

Got teary eyed.

Hell of an emotional song.

Thank you for posting this, Aristus.

[Martin68]

8. I disagree. It's not bleak. The house is not a church, it is the house of a friend where all friends are welcome.

I found it beautiful.

[calimary]

9. Hey Aristus, with Christmas coming soon,

seems to me NOW is the time to appreciate all the good and steel oneself against the bad that, unfortunately, is probably inevitable for the next few years.

That’s probably why I hang out here so much. The people here buoy me up and remind me that I’m FAR from alone in objecting to (and fighting against) trump. USE that! Don’t forget it. You have more and more people joining our resistance movement by the day, as more people start waking up.

Just come here and weigh in, and unload, whenever you feel the need to. I believe it was our Skittles who once said “someone’s always here.” And I have used that little three-word reminder to help myself stay sane.

THISE are the “three little words” that help me keep going - and yes, keep fighting AND resisting.

[slightlv]

10. I've been thinking of elleng all day, too...

and that's led me into my own thoughts of life and mortality, which are sneaking up rapidly. Hubby is about over the edge with his dementia and driving me insane. So much he should NOT be doing right now, and refusing to take advice about any of it. I worry if this is coming down the pike for my brain, too. It's just been an unsettling day, all around, I think.

[Scrivener7]

11. Thank you for this.

[Rizen]

12. I feel that way about Wendle Gee by REM

Because it reminds me of when my mom died of cancer.

[AZJonnie]

16. That one can give me a cry even without any specific association like you have

It's a way-underappreciated gem in the IRS-era catalog.

Wendle Gee sounds like "loss" even if you don't pay attention to the words which of course seem to be about a child saying goodbye to a beloved tree (at least, I *think* lol) so once you know that takes on an even more touching vibe.

I have lots of those kinds of songs. For me the one closest to yours is the ending of Captain Fantastic: We All Fall In Love Sometimes/Curtains which reminds me of my grandad. He was a rail thin dude (like a scarecrow) and my grandma was so beautiful (the freshest flower this garden ever grew) and they were such a wonderful people. Anyways, they're both there in Curtains

[KY_EnviroGuy]

13. Song Lyrics

Come on Up to the House

[Verse 1]
Well, the moon is broken and the sky is cracked
Come on up to the house
The only things that you can see is all that you lack
Come on up to the house

All your cryin' don't do no good
Come on up to the house
Come down off the cross, we can use the wood
You gotta come on up to the house

[Chorus]
Come on up to the house
Come on up to the house
The world is not my home
I'm just a-passin' through
You gotta come on up to the house

[Verse 2]
There's no light in the tunnel, no irons in the fire
Come on up to the house
And you're singing lead soprano in a junkman's choir
You gotta come on up to the house

Does life seem nasty, brutish and short?
Come on up to the house
The seas are stormy and you can't find no port
Got to come on up to the house, yeah

[Chorus]
You gotta come on up to the house
Come on up to the house
The world is not my home
I'm just a-passin' through
You gotta come on up to the house, yeah

[Chorus]
You gotta come on up to the house
Come on up to the house
The world is not my home
I'm just a-passin' through
You gotta come on up to the house

[Verse 3]
There's nothin in the world that you can do
You gotta come on up to the house
And you been whipped by the forces that are inside you
Gotta come on up to the house

Well, you're high on top of your mountain of woe
Gotta come on up to the house
Well, you know you should surrender, but you can't let go
You gotta come on up to the house, yeah

[Chorus]
Gotta come on up to the house
Gotta come on up to the house
The world is not my home
I'm just a-passin' through
You gotta come on up to the house
Gotta come on up to the house
You gotta come on up to the house, oh yeah

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Song Bio

Featured on the TV show “Orange is the New Black”, season two, episode “40 OZ of Furlough”.

The song is about accepting your shortcomings and the grimness of the world. Instead of isolating themself because of this, one should accept it and ‘Come on Up to the House’ to the rest of the people.

From: https://genius.com/Tom-waits-come-on-up-to-the-house-lyrics

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Thanks for posting and sharing, Aristus. You helped with my struggles today!.......

[aggiesal]

14. 2 songs that make sob like a baby ...

Let There Be Peace On Earth

The Theme from Brian's Song

This is why Brian's Song makes me cry

Some background.
I grew up 20 miles south of downtown Chicago, in Indiana. All Chicago sports teams are what we a watched. I grew up watching Gale Sayers and Walter Payton. Brian's Song is about the interracial friendship, in the 1960's, that bloomed between Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo. I was 10 years old when the movie was released.

My senior year in college, at the last football home game of the season, The Pride Band of New Mexico State, for their final song played The Theme of Brian's Song. Here's this 22 year old kid in the stands crying like a baby and my friend's were wondering why I was crying. All I could say is "Watch the movie Brian's Song"

The Chicago Bears honored him by creating The Brian Piccolo Award, which is given to players who best exemplify courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication, and a sense of humor.

There are different versions of the award:
The Chicago Bears present it annually to a rookie and a veteran on the team.
Because Brian Piccolo played for Wake Forest University of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), ACC gives it to its "most courageous" football player, and several UNICO chapters give it to courageous athletes of Italian-American heritage.

[Dear_Prudence]

15. Memories

I attended University of Colorado in 1973. The dorm had a tv room with one big television. I watched the movie Brian's Song with a bunch of other kids from the dorm. I remember that it seemed odd to be in a room with all of the young men crying.