February 11, 2022

Have Hope

Cleveland, Ohio

Melissa shares a powerful message: have hope, you can still recreate your life.

Play Video

Background

Renovare Music uses the DocSong process to co-write a song with Melissa, a formerly incarcerated woman. Renovare's co-founder Lalia reflects on the DocSong process: "The back and forth that occurred during this session was so fun and interesting. Together we watched words on a page turn into lyrics on a chord chart. Melissa’s message to 'have hope' became a refrain, and the wisdom that came out of her life’s journey a chorus. It’s meaningful, it’s memorable, and we hope it will ring in people’s minds in a meaningful way."

Lyrics

I lived my life to please other people
Completing that checklist from family and culture
But still I wasn’t happy
It all came crashing down
Have hope, you can still recreate your life

The way I lived set a pattern for my children
I put my three kids on the school bus one morning
I said I’d see them that night
But left for seven years
Have hope, you can still recreate your life

Chorus:
Find yourself
Find who you’re meant to be
Pare down your list of wants
Choose things carefully
Know the repercussion last longer than your sentence
Find peace with your decisions
So you don’t have regret
Live your life
There’s freedom in being who you are

To go from this life of luxury and privilege
Illegally obtained, it all came to nothing
A chance for a new checklist
I’m on my checklist now
Have hope, you can still recreate your life

Chorus

These days I’m not in contact with my children
I want to stop generational curses
If that is what it takes
Then that’s an answered prayer
Have hope, you can still recreate your life

Chorus

Have hope, you can still recreate your life

Story Source

Melissa

CO-WRITER

Lalia Mangione, Rebecca Shasberger

PERFORMED BY

Lalia Mangione, Rebecca Shasberger

PRODUCED BY

Renovare Music

Recommended Songs

I’m Okay with the Scars (Unlocking Harmony #2)

December 25, 2023

This song is based on the life story of Danielle Coppedge who, after her incarceration, worked with documentary songwriters to share her life experience.

Her message to the world is that hardships can leave scars, but they also make you stronger.

I’ll Share Here Story One Day (Unlocking Harmony #1)

September 20, 2023

Before her imprisonment, Amy Spence focused on survival. Now she is looking within herself and takings steps to become whole.

Journey Through the Jordan

July 21, 2023

Featured in Renovare Music’s “Boldly She Lives” concert, 2022