The Good Sweat - Altruism Lyrics

Who do you do what you do in your life 'for?'
Is 'myself' only selfish or immature?
In the back of his mind, he said it's all so pure
She's not so very sure

He pets his dog, and gives his change to the poor
With a smile, never inquiring what the money's for
He lets other drivers in, buys dinner for friends, and gets the drinks too
She says, 'Those make you feel kind, so they're for you'

Who do you do what you do in your life 'for?'
Is 'myself' only selfish or immature?
In her view it's 'for others' that's less likely assured
But his charity's his faith cure

He said, 'What about people who would die for someone
Like a parent or soldier who'd give their lives for someone?'
She said, 'We're bred and they're trained to react
It's pleasure and pain, in fact
The greater pain would be inaction, so they act'

'But if what you're saying is true
How would God repay us?
And if what you're saying was right
We'd just live in chaos

Are we all just insane?
It all sounds so profane

You're saying
Faith: illusion
Saints: deluded?
My contribution
Self-serving convolution?

This world would be hell
If we all just lived for ourselves'

Who do you do what you do in your life 'for?'

Does it matter, in practice, what is driving us forward
If our actions bring joy, and more?

Who do you do what you do in your life 'for?'
Is 'myself' only selfish or immature?
In her view, it's altruism on the cutting room floor
But, 'for him,' she'll say so nevermore