It's not time to make a change just relax and take it easy
You're still young that's your fault there's so much you have to know
Find a boy settle down and if you want you can marry
Look at me gettin' old but I'm happy

I was once like you are now and I know that it's not easy
To be calm when you found somethin' going on
But take your time think a lot why think of every thing you've got
For you'll still be here tomorrow but your dreams may not

How can I try to explain cause when I do he turns away again
And it's always been the same same old story
From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen
Now there's a way and I know that I have to go away

It's not time to make a change just sit down and take it slowly
You're still young that's your fault there's so much you have to go through
Find a boy settle down and if you want you can marry
Look at me gettin' old but I'm happy

All the times that I have cried keeping all the things I knew inside
It's hard but it's harder to ignore it (oh stay)
If they were right I'd agree but it's them that know not me
Now there's a way and I know that I have to go away I know I have to go away
(Oh please stay please don't go away)

Overall Meaning

"Father And Daughter" is a moving ballad by the legendary Johnny Cash, which revolves around the relationship between a father and his daughter. The father addresses his daughter, telling her that she still has time to enjoy her youth and should take it slow. The father reminisces about his own youth and tells his daughter that he understands that it's not easy to remain calm in challenging situations, but it's important to take time to think about the situation and the things she has. He advises her that it's not time to make any hasty decisions and should take things one step at a time.

The lyrics become more intense as the father expresses the fact that he wanted to explain something but his son doesn't listen to him. Overprotected and isolated are words that come to mind as he describes how he had to listen to his father when he was a child. The singer understands that he has to leave and make his own decisions. The father has now realized that his daughter must make her own way, even though it's hard for him to let her go.

Line by Line Meaning

It's not time to make a change just relax and take it easy
Don't rush into making life-changing decisions, just take your time and enjoy being young.

You're still young that's your fault there's so much you have to know
Being young means you still have a lot to learn in life.

Find a boy settle down and if you want you can marry
It's okay to find someone to settle down with if that's what you want.

Look at me gettin' old but I'm happy
It's possible to grow old and still be content with your life.

I was once like you are now and I know that it's not easy
I understand what it's like to be young and face challenges.

To be calm when you found somethin' going on
It's difficult to stay composed in the face of adversity.

But take your time think a lot why think of every thing you've got
Reflect on what you have in life and take your time to make decisions.

For you'll still be here tomorrow but your dreams may not
Your dreams may not always come true, so cherish the present moment.

How can I try to explain cause when I do he turns away again
It's hard to communicate effectively with someone who refuses to listen.

And it's always been the same same old story
The situation has been repeating itself for a long time.

From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen
I was taught to listen to others from a very young age.

Now there's a way and I know that I have to go away
I've realized that I need to leave to find my own path.

It's not time to make a change just sit down and take it slowly
Don't feel pressured to make drastic changes, instead take things at a steady pace.

You're still young that's your fault there's so much you have to go through
Being young means experiencing many trials and tribulations.

All the times that I have cried keeping all the things I knew inside
I've kept my feelings and knowledge hidden while shedding tears alone.

It's hard but it's harder to ignore it (oh stay)
It may be difficult to confront certain truths, but ignoring them is even harder.

If they were right I'd agree but it's them that know not me
Just because someone thinks they're right, doesn't mean they are.

Now there's a way and I know that I have to go away I know I have to go away
I've realized that I need to leave to find my own path and I'm certain of it.

(Oh please stay please don't go away)
Someone is begging the other person to stay and not leave.

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Anonymous

on Wayfaring Stranger

Wayfaring Stranger - The New Appalachians - Lyrics

I am a poor wayfaring stranger
Traveling through this world alone

There will be no sickness, toil or danger
In that grand land to which I roam

Well I'm going home to see my mother
I'm going home to a morning rose
I'm only goin' over Jordan
I'm only goin' over home

Musical Interlude

I know dark clouds will gather 'round me
I know my way is rough and steep
And beautiful fields lie just before me
Where God's redeemed there vigils keep

Well I'm going home to see my brothers
I'm going home no more to roam
I'm only goin' over Jordan
I'm only goin' over home

Musical Interlude

I'm going home to see my Father
I'm going home no more to roam
I'm only goin' over Jordan
I’m only goin’ where no one roams

I want to wear that crown of glory
When I get to that good land
I want to shout out salvation story
In concert with that blood washed band.
I'm going there to see my saviour
I’ll see his face no more to roam
I'm only going over Jordan
I'm only going over home
I'm only goin' over home