The trio's first eponymous album was released in May 1969 and was an immediate hit, spawning two Top 40 hit singles and receiving key airplay on the new FM radio format.
In late summer 1969, the trio expanded to a quartet with Neil Young with the name changing to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (commonly referred to by their initials CSNY).
In the years since, they have reformed as Crosby, Stills & Nash for several albums and tours.
http://youtu.be/0YGTPvDoJyM
Teach Your Children
Crosby Stills & Nash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Must have a code that you can live by
And so become yourself
Because the past is just a good-bye.
Teach your children well,
Their father's hell did slowly go by,
And feed them on your dreams
The one they picks, the one you'll know by.
So just look at them and sigh
And know they love you.
And you, of tender years,
Can't know the fears that your elders grew by,
And so please help them with your youth,
They seek the truth before they can die.
Teach your parents well,
Their children's hell will slowly go by,
And feed them on your dreams
The one they picks, the one you'll know by.
Don't you ever ask them why, if they told you, you will cry,
So just look at them and sigh and know they love you.
Crosby Stills Nash & Young's song Teach Your Children is a heartfelt ballad which contains some truly insightful lyrics. The opening lines, "You who are on the road, must have a code that you can live by, and so become yourself, because the past is just a good-bye" alludes to the idea that in life, one must make their own way and create their own identity. The past is something that we can learn from, but it doesn't define us in the present. The following lines, "Teach your children well, their father's hell did slowly go by, and feed them on your dreams, the one they picks, the one you'll know by" indicates that one should try to raise their children in a positive and hopeful manner. It's the responsibility of every parent to be a strong role model for their kids so that they can make their own way in the world.
The next set of lyrics, "Don't you ever ask them why, if they told you, you will cry, so just look at them and sigh, and know they love you" is a true testament to unconditional love. Parents are often not perfect and they make mistakes but they do the best they can. We might not always understand why our parents did certain things, but we can always trust that they acted out of love. The following stanza, "And you, of tender years, can't know the fears that your elders grew by, and so please help them with your youth, they seek the truth before they can die" indicates that despite the generational gap, the young can still help the old. The older generation has seen and lived through things that the younger ones couldn't even begin to comprehend. It's important for the young to offer their perspective and help the older generation see through fresh eyes.
Line by Line Meaning
You who are on the road
To those of you who are constantly on the move and experiencing new things
Must have a code that you can live by
You must have guiding principles to follow that will help you navigate life
And so become yourself
By following your own code, you can become your true self
Because the past is just a good-bye.
Don't get too attached to the past; everything must come to an end
Teach your children well,
Pass on your code to your children so they can live a good life
Their father's hell did slowly go by,
Your children don't need to experience the same struggles as you did in the past
And feed them on your dreams
Share your aspirations with your children so they can find their own dreams
The one they picks, the one you'll know by.
Support your children in finding their own dreams, and you'll be able to recognize them
Don't you ever ask them why, if they told you, you will cry,
Trust your children and don't question their choices, or you might regret it
So just look at them and sigh
Observe your children and appreciate the joy they bring to your life
And know they love you.
Your children love you, and that's all that really matters
And you, of tender years,
Young people, who are inexperienced and innocent
Can't know the fears that your elders grew by,
You can't comprehend the hardships and trauma that your parents and grandparents endured
And so please help them with your youth,
Use your energy and enthusiasm to assist your elders when they need it
They seek the truth before they can die.
As they grow older, your elders want to discover the truth about life and the world
Teach your parents well,
Educate your parents about new things that they may be unfamiliar with
Their children's hell will slowly go by,
Your parents can forget the struggles of their past by watching their children succeed
And feed them on your dreams
Give them hope that their children will achieve great things and make them proud
The one they picks, the one you'll know by.
Your parents will recognize your dreams and feel proud of your accomplishments
Don't you ever ask them why, if they told you, you will cry,
Don't challenge your parents, or you might upset them
So just look at them and sigh and know they love you.
Acknowledge your parents' love for you and respect their feelings
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management, Spirit Music Group
Written by: Graham Nash
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kirstengrau1
this lyrics are forever current : You, who are on the road
Must have a code that you can live by
And so, become yourself
Because the past is just a goodbye
Teach your children well
Their father's hell did slowly go by
And feed them on your dreams
The one they pick's the one you'll know by
Don't you ever ask them, "Why?"
If they told you, you would cry
So just look at them and sigh
And know they love you
And you (Can you hear?) of tender years (And do you care?)
Can't know the fears (And can you see?)
That your elders grew by (We must be free)
And so, please help (To teach your children)
Them with your youth (What you believe in)
They seek the truth (Make a world)
Before they can die (That we can live in)
And teach your parents well
Their children's hell will slowly go by
And feed them on your dreams
The one they pick's the one you'll know by
Don't you ever ask them, "Why?
If they told you, you will cry
So just look at them and sigh
And know they love you
@Ralph_Smith0724
You, who are on the road
Must have a code
That you can live by
And so become yourself
Because the past is just a goodbye
Teach your children well
Their father's hell
Did slowly go by
And feed them on your dreams
The one they pick's the one you'll know by
Don't you ever ask them, "Why?"
If they told you, you would cry
So, just look at them and sigh
And know they love you
And you, of tender years (can you hear and do you care)
Can't know the fears (and can't you see)
That your elders grew by (we must be free)
And, so, please help them with your youth (to teach your children what you believe in)
They seek the truth (make a world that we can live in)
Before they can die
Teach your parents well
Their children's hell
Will slowly go by
And feed them on your dreams
The one they pick's the one you'll know by
Don't you ever ask them, "Why?"
If they told you, you would cry
So, just look at them and sigh
And know they love you
@jennifermuir1427
That Sho Bud produced, "Super Pro Pedal Steel Guitar," has two necks, too, in addition to the 8 pedals, and 8 wires that bend the strings, and the two side knee bars, too!
It was played by Jerry Garcia on "Dire Wolf," "Brokedown Palace," "To Lay Me Down," "The Wheel," Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's, "Teach Your Children," and on the first, "New Riders Of The Purple Sage," album.
WHAT A GUITAR๐ณ!
The Sho Bud, "Super Pro Pedal Steel Guitar," came out the year I was born, in 1967!
Talk about a mind bender! Whoa!
Funny, how Cosmic the Universe is, because, FOR THE FIRST TIME, IN MY ENTIRE LIFE, I JUST saw one of these brilliant, AMAZING, complicated musical instruments, LAST NIGHT!!! It was a double necked guitar! It has pedals connected by wires, to the strings, and they either press "up" or "down" on the guitar strings.
Then, in top of THAT, you have bars coming down to the sides of your knees, and legs, and you manipulate those, too!
Talk about talent, concentration, memorization and total mind bending coolness!!!
@awthenderson8852
It took many decades and children of my own to finally understand that song...
And you (Can you hear?) of tender years (And do you care?)
Can't know the fears (And can you see?)
That your elders grew by (We must be free)
And so, please help (To teach your children)
Them with your youth (What you believe in)
They seek the truth (Make a world)
Before they can die (That we can live in)
And teach your parents well
Their children's hell will slowly go by
And feed them on your dreams
The one they pick's the one you'll know by
Don't you ever ask them, "Why?
If they told you, you will cry
So just look at them and sigh
And know they love you
@alexgioulis1157
I used to listen to this sitting on the guard bunkers in Vietnam looking out to the dark skies and wonder what this song was about. I finally get it 50 years later.
@sloanchessman5783
"From the bottom of my heart, I'd like to say thank you for your service sir."
@nelgstuart3442
Thank you Alex. โค๐๐
@BRBMrSoul
You're not heavy, you're my brother
@williamalexander1863
Thank you from an ungrateful nation. You deserved better. My father served in Nam from 67 to 68.
He was drafted at 18 and damn proud of his service and so am I. I salute you sir!
@lindamoore7066
AMEN, I was a Mother too my husband was in Vietnam also! Love this song also!!!โคโคโค
@kellyhartley9432
I danced with my father to this song at my wedding. Hearing it always reminds me of him. Rest in Peace, Dad ๐ฅฒ
@1caphil
What a great choice for his dance with you, Kelly. And know he loves you....
@geronimodeloscielos4997
Wonderful... It's These Moments & Sharing Them That Matters!!!
@kathrynbaker5188
My dadโs favorite! I still cry when I hear it