What Else is Kindness For
by Jim Harris
+ + + NOT a rhetorical question + + +

I MET A MAN OUTSIDE OF EDEN
BEGGING FOR CHANGE WITH A SIGN IN HIS HAND
HE HAD SOME DOGS THAT HE WAS FEEDIN'
AND A SNOW WHITE DOVE

HE SAID THEY ALL DESERVE ATTENTION
AS I DESERVE SOME ATTENTION FROM YOU
MY LOVE FOR THEM IS AN EXTENSION
OF A HIGHER LOVE
HIS BROTHER MAN SAID WE SHOULD DISOWN YOU
YOU PUT A STRAIN ON OUR MERCY
YOU HAVE ABUSED THE KINDNESS SHOWN YOU
WITH YOUR WASTEFUL WAY

THE MAN REPLIED THERE'S NO ONE LIVING
WHO CANNOT HELP SOMEONE WEAKER
THEY TOO ARE BLESSED WHO DO THE GIVING
THAT IS WHY I SAY
I'D RATHER LIGHT ONE CANDLE
THAN CURSE THE NIGHT
SHARE WHAT I HAVE
WITH ALL IN SIGHT
IF YOU DON'T MIND, TELL ME
WHAT ELSE IS KINDNESS FOR
MAKE STRAIGHT THE ROAD, MAKE STILL THE WATER
FOR ALL THE LIFE THAT WILL FOLLOW
IN HOT PURSUIT OF HIGHER ORDER
WHILE THE SUN STILL SHINES

AS WE ONCE WERE, THEY'RE ONLY SLEEPING
WRAPPED UP IN GREAT EXPECTATIONS
THEIR HOPES AND DREAMS ARE IN OUR KEEPING
AND ALL THEIR GRAND DESIGNS
I'D RATHER LIGHT ONE CANDLE
THAN CURSE THE NIGHT
SHARE WHAT I HAVE
WITH ALL IN SIGHT

NO LOVE IS EVER WASTED
NO KINDNESS IS TOO SMALL
THERE'S TIME TO DO IT ALL
IF YOU DON'T MIND, TELL ME
IF YOU AIN'T BLIND, TELL ME
WHAT ELSE IS KINDNESS FOR
TO FEED THE HUNGRY, TO HEAL THE SICK
WHATEVER MOVES YOU, JUST TAKE YOUR PICK
TO HELP THE MANY, TO HELP THE FEW
THERE AIN'T NO TELLING WHAT WE CAN DO

TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, HOWEVER SLIGHT
IF IT HELPS JUST ONE SOUL, THEN THAT'S ALRIGHT
TO CHASE THE DEVIL RIGHT OUT THE DOOR
WHAT ELSE WHAT ELSE IS KINDNESS FOR
TO STOP THE FIGHTING BEFORE IT STARTS
TO BREAK THE BOUNDARIES BETWEEN OUR HEARTS
FOR ALL GOD'S CREATURES, NOT JUST FOR SOME
MAKE THEM A HOME IN THE WORLD TO COME

TO FALL FROM HEAVEN LIKE A GENTLE RAIN
TO FREE THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD FROM FEAR AND PAIN
TO BANISH CRUELTY FOREVERMORE
WHAT ELSE WHAT ELSE IS KINDNESS FOR
JOIN IN IF YOU CARE
LEND YOUR VOICES TO THIS PRAYER
WHAT ELSE IS KINDNESS FOR
+++++++++++++++++++++++

Re this song: Inspired by the devotion of a homeless man to his beloved dog.