Her father didn
Billy Connolly Lyrics


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The coat she wore still lies upon the bed
The book I gave her that she never read
She left without a single word to say
Her father didn't like me anyway.

She always wanted more than I could give
She wasn't happy with the way we lived
I didn't feel like asking her to stay
Her father didn't like me anyway.

Daddy never knew just what she'd seen in me
Daddy didn't like my hair
Perhaps if we had talked, he'd have seen something in me
But Daddy didn't really care.

To tell the truth I didn't have the nerve
I know I only got what I deserved
So now she's taken leave of me today
Her father didn't like me anyway.

Daddy never knew just what she'd seen in me
Daddy didn't like my hair
Perhaps if we had talked, he'd have seen something in me
But Daddy didn't really care.

The coat she wore still lies upon the bed
The book I gave her that she never read




She left without a single word to say
Her father didn't like me anyway.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Billy Connolly's Her Father Didn't Like Me Anyway are a poignant recounting of an unsuccessful romantic relationship, looking back with regret and perhaps a touch of resignation. The singer speaks of his former partner leaving him without warning or explanation, leaving behind physical reminders of her presence - the coat she wore and the book he gifted her. He seems to understand why their relationship failed, or at least recognizes his own shortcomings, acknowledging that he couldn't give her everything she wanted or needed. The song takes its title from the repeated refrain that her father never approved of him, suggesting an additional source of tension and disapproval that contributed to their romance's doomed trajectory.


Ultimately, the lyrics suggest that the singer's regret is tempered by a kind of acceptance, or perhaps even relief. He acknowledges that he "didn't have the nerve" to fight for her or ask her to stay, and seems to understand on some level that their relationship was never going to work out. The father's disapproval, while perhaps a convenient excuse for the relationship's failure, may also have been a very real obstacle that could never be overcome. In the end, the song presents a complex and emotionally resonant take on the aftermath of a love gone wrong.


Line by Line Meaning

The coat she wore still lies upon the bed
The physical reminder of her is still present in my bedroom.


The book I gave her that she never read
I offered her a piece of myself, but she never bothered to engage with it.


She left without a single word to say
She chose to end our relationship without the decency of explaining why.


Her father didn't like me anyway.
His disapproval ultimately played a role in the demise of our relationship.


She always wanted more than I could give
She had expectations that exceeded the reality of our situation.


She wasn't happy with the way we lived
We were never able to find contentment with the life we shared.


I didn't feel like asking her to stay
I knew deep down that she wasn't meant to be with me and so I didn't fight for the relationship.


Daddy never knew just what she'd seen in me
Her father was unaware of the qualities in me that initially attracted her.


Daddy didn't like my hair
A superficial characteristic of mine was enough for her father to judge and dislike me.


Perhaps if we had talked, he'd have seen something in me
If only we had the opportunity to have a genuine conversation, he might have discovered my positive attributes.


But Daddy didn't really care.
Her father had already made up his mind and wasn't interested in getting to know me as a person.


To tell the truth I didn't have the nerve
I was too afraid to confront the reality of our relationship and make a legitimate effort to salvage it.


I know I only got what I deserved
Ultimately, the failure of our relationship was a result of my unwillingness to communicate and fight for what I wanted.


So now she's taken leave of me today
I must face the reality that she is gone from my life for good.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GERRY RAFFERTY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Reuven Lloyd

We've never needed Billy more than in 2021. Classic genius

VauxhallViva1975

If he lived in Scotland today, he would be arrested and charged with hate-speech for any stand-up like that.
Now, just think for a minute......how fucked up is that?

Reuven Lloyd

@VauxhallViva1975 its completely fooked

Boss Dog

@VauxhallViva1975 Especially for Scotland. What happened?

Vaughan Ellis

Shame he's give up doing the stand up because the Parkinson's is getting too bad.

Reuven Lloyd

@Vaughan Ellis yea im so glad i bought his book

43 More Replies...

Adam F

When he swears, it's hilarious. But when he laughs at his own punchline as he delivers it is GOLD.

lisa sommerlad

true.

Ian Raffel

The man is a legend. He came out with this years ago and it's even more relevant now than it was then. A man always ahead of his time. Thank you, Billy.

Io

WAAAAAAAY MORE RELEVANT TODAY as
the beigeists now are indeed in charge

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