Bit of Bellyache

Not sure what was missing growing up
The cabinets and the dressers were full enough
Dads will split, I ain't got no beef with it
I just hated the life you left me with

That woman got no love
She never showed me how or what it was
So I held my tongue, hoping one day you would come
Til my youthful years ran out one by one

My mistake
Desperate hearts break
It's not on you
Trust me, I can take a little bit of bellyache

I came runnin’ fast as I could
The day I got your letter sayin’ I should
My hopes so high like scrapers in the sky,
Building up my whole life

New house, new wife, new kids
You were not the same but after all those years who is?
I tried fitting in the mold, but in the end it's truth be told
In with the new, out with the old

My mistake
Desperate hearts break
It's not on you
Trust me, I can take a little bit of bellyache

Hey dad, or whatever you're supposed to be
If I'm dead to you, you're dead to me
I'm just trying to cope in the wake of all my hope
Hurts to admit but I think we missed the boat

My mistake
Desperate hearts break
It's not on you
Trust me, I can take a little bit of bellyache

When these lonely, fingerpicking, folk ballad chords came to me, I quickly understood the song wanted to tell a story that wasn’t my own. Realizing the soul this song was for, I called up my old friend and asked his permission. When he said ok, I interviewed him for an hour or two about his childhood and then began writing. I can’t imagine how hard it must be to have a parent walk out on you. I hope this song can bring my friend some solace, along with anyone else who can relate.

Intro / Bridge:
Bm A/C# | D | Em D | G A
Bm A/C# | D | Em D | A
(The end of the intro includes some chorus chords)

Verse:
Em D | A | D A | G
G A | D A/C# Bm | Em | A
(Whole thing 2x)

Chorus:
G Bm | Asus4 A (3x)
G Bm | A