Father And Son
Cat Stevens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just relax, take it easy
You're still young, that's your fault
There's so much you have to know
Find a girl, settle down
If you want you can marry
Look at me, I am old, but I'm happy
To be calm when you've found something going on
But take your time, think a lot
Why, think of everything you've got
For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not
How can I try to explain? 'Cause when I do he turns away again
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
I know, I have to go
It's not time to make a change (away, away, away)
Just sit down, take it slowly
You're still young, that's your fault (I know)
There's so much you have to go through (I have to make this decision)
Find a girl, settle down (alone)
If you want you can marry
Look at me (no)
I am old, but I'm happy
All the times that I cried (stay, stay, stay)
Keeping all the things I knew inside
It's hard, but it's harder to ignore it (why must you go)
(And make this decision?)
If they were right, I'd agree, but it's them they know not me (alone)
Now there's a way and I know that I have to go away
I know I have to go
In Cat Stevens's song "Father and Son," the father is imparting wisdom to his young son about the importance of patience and understanding when making life-changing decisions. The father advises the son that he is still young and has so much to learn, and that he should take his time and think of everything he has before making any big choices. The father speaks from his own experience, noting that he was once in the son's shoes and that it is not easy to be calm when something important is happening. The father also acknowledges that it is difficult to communicate his advice, as when he tries to explain, the son "turns away again." Despite this, the father implores the son to consider his advice and to remember that he has his whole life ahead of him.
The lyrics also touch on the tension between generations and the struggle to communicate across the divide. The son is eager to break free and make his own choices, but the father is resistant to change and wants to impart his hard-won wisdom. This conflict is captured in the line "If they were right, I'd agree, but it's them they know not me."
Line by Line Meaning
It's not time to make a change
Don't rush into making big decisions
Just relax, take it easy
Don't stress yourself out; remain calm
You're still young, that's your fault
You have time to learn and grow
There's so much you have to know
There's a lot in this world that you need to learn and experience
Find a girl, settle down
Consider finding a partner and building a stable life
If you want you can marry
Decide what you want in life and pursue it
Look at me, I am old, but I'm happy
There's more to life than just youth and success
I was once like you are now, and I know that it's not easy
I understand the struggles you're facing
To be calm when you've found something going on
It can be hard to remain calm when things around you are in turmoil
But take your time, think a lot
Don't make snap decisions; take time to consider your options
Why, think of everything you've got
Consider your blessings and everything you have to be grateful for
For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not
Time is precious, and we need to make the most of it by pursuing our dreams
How can I try to explain? 'Cause when I do he turns away again
It can be frustrating to try and share wisdom with someone who isn't receptive
It's always been the same, same old story
This dynamic has been present for a long time
From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen
I was encouraged from a young age to be obedient and listen to authority
Now there's a way and I know that I have to go away
I've made a decision to move on and pursue my own path
I know, I have to go
I'm committed to this decision, even though it may be difficult
Just sit down, take it slowly
Slow down and take your time
I know
I'm certain of my decision
All the times that I cried
I've experienced hardship and emotion
Keeping all the things I knew inside
I've kept many thoughts and feelings to myself
It's hard, but it's harder to ignore it
It's difficult to address and confront difficult emotions, but it's ultimately necessary
If they were right, I'd agree, but it's them they know not me
Other people's opinions may not be the right fit for you; only you know what's best for yourself
Now there's a way and I know that I have to go away
I have a clear path ahead of me and I'm determined to follow it
I know I have to go
I'm resolved to make this journey, even though it may be challenging
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Yusuf Islam
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mirladanganan6739
O99l99ol9o9oo😅😅 1:56 m 1:56 moo
O
9m999😅kki
LLll
L😅9😊😅 2:15 k9lol9loo9lo😅O
O
9o9l9ll
99l99O9
ll
9
9l99o9lmo99o 2:21 o99ok😅k99o999kk99o9😅loolo99i9ooio9😅loo9
l
O999o99Oo9ooooo9999iooo9o9o9999999oo9ooo99io999o9oh
Oo
99oO
9
9h999lo9o99o99oo999o9oOo9m9oo999o999io
o9oo99 2:32 99999o😅ooo9oookk9ll9😅9o9oo😅o😅9999😅9😅oo9oio99😅99o9ilio😅o😅9ok99ooo9😅99oooo99o99999😅999ohlo😅😅o😅9o😅😅9o9h9😅999lio😅9o9hkoo9o99⁹9olooo99oooo9😅9oooooooooo9o9o999o99oo9o9999oooooll99lo99o9😊9oo9😅😊oolol😊9oooo9oo90pp9mm 3:41 kl
k9
@YusufCatStevens
Subscribe to the Yusuf / Cat Stevens newsletter here: https://catstevens.com/email-signup/
@dougthePogingguitarist
love this song
@bryanquichocho1280
This song is one of many favorites from Cat! Thx dude🤙🏾.
@ozziegreen4850
Stay blessed ; stay sane in this insanity❣️
@christianschneider4926
:)
@abdelkaderbenaricha5312
I can't write or speak English properly, but I know that passionate people like me can understand me and feel me through these little big sentences." I am a very sensitive and passionate person until I have tears in my eyes.. And when I listen to this song I think of my father, a great man who died of cancer when I was very young. Then I grew up and I think of him, when he said, my son, I am really sick buying myself a piece of cake. Life without him and his compassion is cruel. I feel very alone. .
I live with great sadness in my heart to be praised by my relatives and friends.
@jaeveena
I'm leaving this comment here so after a month or a year when someone likes it, I get reminded of this song <3
@ahmadismail6626
Reminder🙂
@AlisonJacobson77Ching
❤
@AlisonJacobson77Ching
Beautiful insight, & human being...this speaks to my Soul. 'Then' to ' Now'. From the child, to the parent, parent love for child, 'seeing' own parents,...Lifetime relevance, this Loop of Life~ moving past ' self'.. to foresight, reflection & understanding. 50 years of viewpoints for me...such an ever evolving song, in this ever evolving journey. Thank you, each & every time. 🎶❤