"Holding Things Together" is a heart-wrenching country song recorded by Ernest Tubb in 1969. The lyrics portray a desperate plea from a mother named Alice to her absent partner, addressing their struggles in raising their children together. The song emphasizes the difficulty of maintaining stability and balance in a family when one of the parents is gone. Alice acknowledges that holding everything together is not an easy task, particularly in the context of raising children, which she believes requires both parents' involvement. As the song progresses, Alice shares about their daughter Angie's birthday, which the absent father seems to have forgotten. Alice tries to reach out to him, but there is no response. However, she mentions that she had sent a birthday present on behalf of both of them, signing it "love from mama" to shield Angie from the truth of her father's absence. Alice's plea for her partner to come home and help in raising the children becomes more urgent towards the end of the song. She expresses her deep longing for his return and emphasizes that she cannot continue to hold everything together on her own. Overall, "Holding Things Together" reflects the struggles and challenges faced by a single parent, the longing for support and companionship, and the importance of shared responsibility in raising a family. The song captures the emotional journey and difficulties experienced by individuals left to manage a household alone.
