This Year Will Be Different

Baruch Levine: This Year Will Be Different | Torah Umesorah  for the struggling child on the first day of school

I was riding on the school bus the first day of school

With a nervous feeling I had come to know

With my knapsack and my loose-leaf lined up at my side 

And a brand-new shirt and shoes so I would look real fine.

Chorus: 

‘Cause my mother said

“This year it will be different”

I’ve heard those words so many times before

“But the Rebbe’s nice and he’ll see that you are special”

I said “Alright, I’ll try my best once more.”

As I climbed the stairs to go into my classroom 

I felt like turning back right then and there

As the struggles from the past years filled up in my mind

I worried what I’d do to make it through this year

I wondered what the problems would be this time

I thought about how hard the work would be

and though my friends will think that I don't work and I don't care

It’s really that I’ve given up on me

Chorus:

And my Rebbe said

“This year it will be different”

I’ve heard those words so many times before

“I know you try so hard, and I see that you are special”

I said “Alright, I’ll try my best once more.”

My classmates all around me don’t know how I feel

I’ve learned to keep my feelings deep inside

And when I make them laugh in class, I don’t mean to be bad

It’s just my way to hide my pain and save my pride

And I know that soon they’ll meet about me once again

They’ll talk and plan about what my goals should be

And though I know it’s wrong, the nagging thought will cross my mind

Why did Hashem create someone like me?

 

I’m now driving in my car on the first day of school

with that nervous feeling I have come to know

But my day is a little different than it used to be

Because now I’m not the student, I’m the Rebbe

And every now and then I see a look in a child’s eyes

That reflects the look that used to be in mine 

And I tell myself no matter what comes my way

I will help this child find a way that he can shine

Chorus:

And I say to him “This time it will be different”

I know that you have heard those words before

“But the time is right and I believe that you are special”

He says “Alright”

Oh he says “Alright,

I’ll try my best once more