“Am I Still Here?”
1970s John Prine Style Story Ballad • Sung by Country Cate
"Am I Still Here?" is a poignant reflection on aging and the quiet erosion of visibility. This track explores the domestic silence of a life once filled with the noise of children and work, now reduced to the rhythmic ticking of a clock and the distance of family in far-off cities. It is a classic country ballad centered on the existential question of whether one remains seen once their functional roles in society have faded. We bought a place out in the suburbs We liked the quiet there Well, it'd been years since the hallway rang With the shouting of the whole damn gang Sarah’s living in Seattle And Tim is working for the railroad line We lost our Billy to the highway rain And I still can't wash the stain, it’s all in vain Ya know that old fields just grow thicker And old winds grow colder ev'ry day Old hearts just grow heavy Wondering if I’m still here, am I here? Me and Raymond, we don't talk much more He just watches how the shadows lean And all the pictures in silver frames Are just faces now with fading names Someday I'll go and call up Martha We worked together at the county school But what could I say if she asks "What's new?" Nothing, same as you. Nothing much to do. So if you're driving down the turnpike And see a porch light burning low Please don't just look away and sigh As if I wasn't alive, ask me "How's the time?"