It's the story of a boy and his dad...told from the boy and father's perspective, outlining their lives. It illustrates the classic struggle between a father and son. This song moves me to tears. It peaked at number six on The Billboard Charts.
That's My Job
Conway Twitty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I was very young
I had dreamed my father
Had passed away and gone
My world revolved around him
I couldn't lie there anymore
So I made my way down the mirrored hall
And I said "Daddy, I'm so afraid
How will I go on with you gone that way?
Don't want to cry anymore, so may I stay with you?"
And he said "That's my job
That's what I do
Everything I do is because of you
To keep you safe with me
That's my job you see"
Later we barely got along
This teenage boy and he
Most of the fights it seems
Were over different dreams
We each held for me
He wanted knowledge and learning
I wanted to fly out west
Said, "I could make it out there
If I just had the fare
I got half, will you loan me the rest?"
And I said "Daddy, I'm so afraid
There's no guarantee in the plans
I've made and if I should fail
Who will pay my way back home?"
And he said "That's my job
That's what I do
Everything I do is because of you
To keep you safe with me
That's my job you see"
Every person carves his spot
And fills the hole with light
And I pray someday I might
Light as bright as he
Woke up early one bright fall day
To spread the tragic news
After all my travel, I settled down
Within a mile or two
I make my living with words and rhyme
And all this tragedy
Should go into my head and out instead
As bits of poetry
But I say "Daddy, I'm so afraid
How will I go on with you gone this way?
How can I come up with a song to say I love you?"
That's my job, that's what I do
Everything I do is because of you
To keep you safe with me
That's my job you see
Everything I do is because of you
To keep you safe with me
Conway Twitty's "That's My Job" is an emotional and poignant song about a father and son's relationship throughout their lives. The song is structured as three different moments in time, each of which helps to illustrate the deep connection between the two characters. The first verse is about the young boy waking up in the middle of the night, afraid of losing his father. The son pleads to stay with him because he's scared, and the father reassures him that keeping him safe is his job, and it's what he loves to do. The second verse shows the older boy needing his father's support in a different way, asking him for help to fulfill his dreams but having a different vision than his father. Once again, the father reassures him that his job is to keep him safe and encourages him to pursue what he wants, in his own way. The third verse is set after the father's death when the son, who is now grown, struggles to come to terms with the loss of his father. He reflects on his life and realizes that everything he does is motivated by wanting to keep his father's memory alive.
The song captures the complexity of the father-son dynamic. The father plays multiple roles throughout the son's life: protector, nurturer, and advisor. Although the two characters have different ideas about what the son should do with his life, the love between them remains constant. The father's ultimate job is to create a safe and loving environment for his son to grow and flourish.
In summary, "That's My Job" is a heartwarming tribute to the profound bond between a father and son. It reminds us all that, no matter where life takes us, the love and guidance of a parent can always stay with us.
Line by Line Meaning
I woke up crying late at night
As a child, I had a nightmare that my father had passed away and it made me very upset.
When I was very young
This happened when I was just a child, too young to fully understand the fragility of life.
I had dreamed my father
In my dream, I saw my father as if he had passed away.
Had passed away and gone
In my dream, my father was no longer there and had moved on from this world.
My world revolved around him
I was very close to my father and looked up to him a lot. He was the center of my universe.
I couldn't lie there anymore
The dream upset me so much that I couldn't stay in my own bed.
So I made my way down the mirrored hall
I walked down the hallway that had mirrors lining the walls.
And tapped upon his door
I knocked on my father's bedroom door.
And I said "Daddy, I'm so afraid
I expressed my fear and sadness to my father when I went to see him in the middle of the night.
How will I go on with you gone that way?
I was scared of the thought of losing my father and didn't know how I would be able to cope with such loss.
Don't want to cry anymore, so may I stay with you?"
I asked my father if I could stay with him to feel safe and secure.
And he said "That's my job
My father reassured me that taking care of me and protecting me was his responsibility.
That's what I do
He reminded me that keeping me safe was his primary role as my father.
Everything I do is because of you
My father's love and dedication to me was the driving force behind all of his actions.
To keep you safe with me
My father wanted to make sure that I was protected, loved, and comforted while I was growing up.
That's my job you see"
My father concluded that keeping me safe and being a good parent was his duty and purpose in life.
Later we barely got along
As I got older, my relationship with my father became more strained.
This teenage boy and he
We had more disagreements and were less close as I became a teenager and started to assert my own independence.
Most of the fights it seems
Many of our arguments were related to our differing visions for my future.
Were over different dreams
We had different ideas about what I should do with my life, which led to conflict.
He wanted knowledge and learning
My father valued education and wanted me to focus on my studies.
I wanted to fly out west
I had aspirations to travel and explore new places, perhaps not following a traditional path.
Said, "I could make it out there
I was convinced that I could succeed on my own, even without his financial support.
If I just had the fare
All I needed was the money to fund my dreams.
I got half, will you loan me the rest?"
I asked my father if he would help me out with the remaining funds I needed to make my dream a reality.
And he said "That's my job
Once again, my father reminded me that supporting and helping me was his responsibility.
Everything I do is because of you
He reiterated that everything he did was for my well-being and success.
To keep you safe with me
Not only did he want to keep me physically secure, but he also wanted me to be happy and fulfilled in life.
That's my job you see"
My father's role in my life was to be a protector, nurturer, and supporter.
Every person carves his spot
Each individual has a unique place in the world and leaves their own mark.
And fills the hole with light
We each have the power to bring positivity, goodness, and happiness into the world.
And I pray someday I might
I hope to one day be able to carry on my father's legacy and live up to his standards.
Light as bright as he
I aspire to be as amazing, inspiring, and influential as my father was to me.
Woke up early one bright fall day
Years later, I received the tragic news that my father had passed away.
To spread the tragic news
I had to tell others about my father's passing, which was very difficult for me.
After all my travel, I settled down
I had been away from home for some time before I learned of my father's passing.
Within a mile or two
I was now living close to my family again, but under such sad circumstances.
I make my living with words and rhyme
As a songwriter or musician, I depend on my creativity and ability to express myself through my art.
And all this tragedy
The loss of my father was incredibly difficult to process and deal with.
Should go into my head and out instead
I should be able to turn my sadness and pain into something positive, creative, and meaningful through my music.
As bits of poetry
Perhaps the way I can express myself best is through the medium of art, specifically writing poetry.
But I say "Daddy, I'm so afraid
In my darkest moments, I still find myself seeking the comfort and guidance of my father, even though he is no longer with me.
How will I go on with you gone this way?
I am still struggling to cope with the loss of my father and feel lost without him in my life.
How can I come up with a song to say I love you?"
I am grappling with how to express my deep love and admiration for my father through my art.
That's my job, that's what I do
Just like my father used to console me and make me feel safe, I now remind myself that it is my job to take care of my own emotional needs and healing.
Everything I do is because of you
My father's memory and legacy will always be a part of who I am and what I do.
To keep you safe with me
Even though he is no longer with me, I still carry his love and influence with me, keeping me safe and protected wherever I go.
That's my job you see
Just as my father once took responsibility for my well-being and safety, I now take on that role and responsibility for myself as well.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Gary Burr
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dailen Olivarez
This is my tribute song to my dad who I lost this past Halloween 10/31/21.
R.I.P. dad
I can’t imagine him ever fading from my memory. He was my childhood best friend but held 100% respect in his voice as the man of the house and my dad.
He was a stepfather to my big brother hero. My half brother legally changed his name to our family last name before getting married to show his love he felt from the family.
My dad was a good man. Gone way too young at 45. I know he is watching over us and especially his first granddaughter, my little girl who he held and met 3 times.
Rylee will hear the best stories of her pop pop
Samuel and Carlie Jones
As a father, who had a shitty dad, this song hits so hard. Being a dad is my #1 job.
Matthew B
Often in life we learn what not to do by our bad father. Forgiveness for him will heal your heart.
Samuel and Carlie Jones
@Matthew.W.B absolute truth. I've forgiven him long ago. May God bless you and your karma be multiplied.
The Islander 89
I hear ya brother
Theron Harris
Conway, always knew how to go straight to the heart❤!!!!😊
Edwin Kubena
I lost my kids during a horrible divorce this hurts. Lost my Dad recently I cry listening to this being a Dad is not easy
Jess McNulty
My dad passed 25 years ago, when I was barely 20. A decorated Marine, awarded 2 Purple Hearts, he was also a State Trooper, and the strongest, bravest and kindest man I’ve ever known. Neurological damage caused from a war related injury finally showed itself in his 30’s, when I was 9, and after living for 11 years in the VA hospital, unable to move, speak or even feed himself, it was a blessing when he finally closed his eyes forever. I’m almost older than he was when he passed, which is just so sad to me, because I feel like I have so much more life to live, highlighting how much of his was stolen from him, as well as from my mom and 4 siblings. My dad was PROUD to be American, PROUD to be a Marine, Proud to be an officer of the Law, and Proud to be a loyal and devoted husband. But his Proudest title was, “Daddy”, and he made sure that we all knew it
Jared Mowry
I respect this comment immensely. Congratulations to you and your achievements; RIP to Pops!
southpawjlm
My RESPECT!
Clinton Burtchett
Proud of you and your dad both brother