HEY, I CAN'T BREATHE

These lyrics are a raw, personal account of living with severe chronic illness, told from the perspective of someone facing daily physical pain, fear, and limitation, yet still choosing to keep going.

The song describes the constant struggle of a respiratory disorder, emphasizing relentless coughing, wheezing, breathing treatments, and the unpredictable nature of flare-ups. There is a strong sense of exhaustion and frustration, especially as the illness worsens in cold and rainy weather and interferes with even simple movements like walking or lying down comfortably.

Smoking is acknowledged as a major cause, and the lyrics reflect regret, warning, and realism, especially in the lines about a doctor’s grim prognosis. This introduces an honest confrontation with mortality, balanced by acceptance that life and death are ultimately in God’s hands.

The lyrics also expand beyond lung disease to include congestive heart failure, showing how multiple conditions compound the suffering. Despite this, the speaker emphasizes perseverance—fighting to get around, making the most of time left, and managing symptoms as best as possible.

Emotionally, the piece blends pain, vulnerability, resignation, and resilience. While there is anger and discomfort (“You really want to curse”), there is also determination and a quiet hope rooted in faith and endurance.

Overall, the lyrics function as both a personal testimony and a cautionary story, shedding light on chronic illness, disability, and the strength it takes to keep living fully in the face of constant hardship.