Copyright 2005 Harris Hobby
Here's a quick "performance song" written and played on a guitar that I gave my dad for his 70th birthday. (Unfortunately, I'm playing it now.) He had never played guitar until then, but wanted try. I hope he got many hours of joy out of it. By the way, as is often the case, I am using an unusual song structure on this verse, chorus, verse, chorus, instrumental, "payoff/summary?" So, try to make it to the end if you can "take it".
Son, Your Father
He grew up poor in the Great Depression.
At the age of eight, he would plow the mules.
His father died, and he had to support his mother.
So, he went to work and had to quit school.
By the age of 18, World War II was calling.
So, he quit his job to serve his country.
He landed on the bloody beaches of Normandy
And, fought his way to the Heart of Germany.
Son, your father
Is a very good man.
He lives his life
As well as any man can.
I know it’s hard
For a young boy to understand.
Years went by and my father died.
At the funeral, a friend of his pulled me aside.
He took me by the shoulder and he looked me in the eye.
And, in between the tears that I cried…he said.
Son, I hope you know how much your father loved you.
There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for you.
Now, you have a lot to live up to
For in this world, men like him are few.
Son, your father
Was a very good man.
He loved his family
As much as any man can.
He built his life
On rock, not shifting sand.
Now, listen to me, all you sons and daughters.
Hope your mom and dad were heroes to you.
And, when you’re grown
With children of your own
Please remember, they need heroes too.
That’s what you can do.
Be a hero too.