Chester Burton Atkins born 20 June 1924 - Died 30 June 2001 in Nashville, T… Read Full Bio ↴Chester Burton Atkins born 20 June 1924 - Died 30 June 2001 in Nashville, Tennessee, United States (1942–1996) . was an American guitarist and record producer. Together with Owen Bradley, Atkins created the smoother country music style known as the Nashville sound, which expanded country music's appeal to include adult pop music fans as well. His virtuoso picking style - inspired by Merle Travis, Django Reinhardt, George Barnes and Les Paul - brought him admirers both within and outside the country scene. Atkins produced records for Eddy Arnold, Don Gibson, Jim Reeves, Jerry Reed, Connie Smith, and Waylon Jennings.

Tears
Chet Atkins Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

When I was young, my Dad would say
Come on Son let's go out and play
Sometimes it seems like yesterday
And I'd climb up the closet shelf
When I was all by my-self
Grab his hat and fix the brim
Pretending I was him
No matter how hard I try

No matter how many tears I cry
No matter how many years go by
I still can't say good-bye
He always took care of Mom and me.
We all cut down a Christmas tree

He always had some time for me
Wind blows through the trees
Street lights, they still shine bright
Most things are the same
But I miss my Dad to-night
I walked by a Salvation Army store Saw a hat like my
Daddy wore
Tried it on when I walked in
Still trying to be like him
No matter how hard I try
No matter how many years go by

No matter how many tears I cry
I still can't say good-bye

Overall Meaning

The song "Tears" is a moving tribute to a father who has passed away. The singer reminiscences about his childhood, when his father would take him out to play, and he would pretend to be his dad, even wearing his hat. Despite the passage of time and the many tears he has shed, the singer still finds it difficult to say goodbye to his father. The street lights, wind through the trees, and other details that remind him of his childhood are still the same, but he still misses his father.

The song poignantly captures the pain of loss and the enduring love the singer has for his father. The lyrics are heartwarming and relatable for anyone who has lost a parent or loved one. The song also highlights the importance of a father figure in a child's life and the lasting impact they can have.

Line by Line Meaning

When I was young, my Dad would say
Childhood memories of conversations with father.

Come on Son let's go out and play
Invitation from father to go and have fun together.

Sometimes it seems like yesterday
Memories of playing with father in the past.

And I'd climb up the closet shelf
As a child, climb the closet shelf to find father's hat.

When I was all by my-self
Playing alone with father's hat.

Grab his hat and fix the brim
Imitating father by fixing his hat brim.

Pretending I was him
Imitating father's mannerisms and behavior.

No matter how hard I try
Despite my efforts,

No matter how many tears I cry
Despite shedding many tears,

No matter how many years go by
Regardless of how much time has passed,

I still can't say good-bye
Unable to let go of the memories of father.