This country ballad is adapted from The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles. The book is a wonderful moving novel. And the advice in this song (excerpted from the book) is valuable.
Earn your trust as an author. Don’t try to cut corners or fake respectability. Be real. Be true. Be open. Be friendly.
Everything Is Earned lyrics
Everything of value in this world
Must be earned, must be earned
Because those who given
Something of value
Without having to earn it
Are bound to squander it
You should earn respect
You should earn trust
You should earn the love of a spouse
You should earn the right
To call yourself an adult
You should earn the right to hope
There is just enough variety
Variety of American experience
For every American in a city
To feel for certain that
Their experience is unique
This is something wonderful
Because to aspire
To fall in love
To create great things
To survive and surpass
Even as we stumble
We must remain unique
You should earn respect
You should earn trust
You should earn the love of a spouse
You should earn the right
To call yourself an adult
You should earn the right to hope
