Teach your Children
Crosby Nash & Young Lyrics
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Must have a code that you can live by
And so become yourself
Because the past is just a goodbye
Teach,
You who are on the road
Must have a code that you can live by
And so become yourself
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
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 and) of tender years (do you care and)
Can't know the fears (can you see we) that your elders grew by (must be free to)
And so please help (teach your children) them with your youth (you believe in)
They seek the truth (make a world that) before they can die (we can live in)
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 would cry
So just look at them and sigh
And know they love you, oh
In the song "Teach Your Children" by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, the first verse talks about the importance of having a personal code to live by, especially when you are traveling through life. It encourages listeners to become their true selves, rather than being held back by their past experiences. The second verse urges people to teach their children to follow their dreams, even if they have faced difficulties in their own lives. It advises parents to nurture their children's aspirations and to avoid asking probing questions that might lead their children to doubt themselves or become overwhelmed with emotion.
The chorus encourages adults to teach their children well, and emphasizes the cyclical nature of life. It acknowledges that parents experience their own struggles and challenges, but also reminds them to pass down their own wisdom to their children. The bridge of the song highlights the generational divide, as young people are depicted as being unable to understand the fears and experiences of their elders, and are instead encouraged to seek out their own truths before they pass away.
Overall, the song "Teach Your Children" is a plea for older generations to pass down their knowledge and values to younger generations, in order to create a better tomorrow. It acknowledges the struggles and difficulties that everyone faces, but encourages listeners not to dwell on them, and instead to focus on building a brighter future for themselves and their children.
Interesting Facts about "Teach Your Children":
Interesting Facts
Note: This section uses generative AI, which can be inaccurate.
Line by Line Meaning
You who are on the road
If you are traveling or pursuing a particular path in life
Must have a code that you can live by
Have a set of principles or values to guide your actions
And so become yourself
Through adhering to your code, you will develop your true identity
Because the past is just a goodbye
The past is behind you and should not discourage or define you
Teach your children well
Pass on wisdom and values to future generations
Their father's hell did slowly go by
Previous generations may have had difficult experiences, but they have overcome them with time
And feed them on your dreams
Encourage children to aspire to their own dreams and goals
The one they picks the one you'll know by
Each person has their own unique dreams and aspirations
Don't you ever ask them why
Don't judge or discourage their dreams, just support them
If they told you, you would cry
Their struggles may be difficult to bear, but it's important to empathize and support them
So just look at them and sigh
Acknowledge their struggles and love them unconditionally
And know they love you
Children also love their parents and want to give back
And you (Can you hear and) of tender years (do you care and)
As a young person, do you empathize with and care about the struggles of your elders?
Can't know the fears (can you see we) that your elders grew by (must be free to)
It's difficult for younger generations to understand past hardships
And so please help (teach your children) them with your youth (you believe in)
Young people can use their energy and optimism to help older generations learn and adapt
They seek the truth (make a world that) before they can die (we can live in)
Younger generations want to create a better world by seeking truth and social progress
Teach your parents well
Parents can also learn from their children and should be receptive to their teachings
Their children's hell will slowly go by
Parents may have experienced hardship through their children, but these struggles will pass with time
And feed them on your dreams
Children can inspire and motivate their parents to work towards their dreams
The one they picks the one you'll know by
Each person has their own unique dreams and aspirations
And know they love you, oh
Parents should know that their children love them and want to see them happy
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group
Written by: GRAHAM NASH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kirsten Grau
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
Jennifer Muir
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 GUITAR😳!
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!!!
Ralph Smith
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
Javier Dunk
RIP David Crosby. Thank you for the beautiful music. You will never be forgotten 🙏
mickoolaw1
So sad…. God bless you David Crosby
Simon Black
Well said!
Ricky Smith
I feel ya. No more pain, David. RIP
A Marie
❤ when you loved the music but never really knew who and then realized you could keep their spirit in mind by spending intentional time on them when they pass. 🙏🏻
Michele Navarro
Thanks for streaming! 👏
Kelly Hartley
I danced with my father to this song at my wedding. Hearing it always reminds me of him. Rest in Peace, Dad 🥲
Carolina Phillips
What a great choice for his dance with you, Kelly. And know he loves you....
Geronimo de Los Cielos
Wonderful... It's These Moments & Sharing Them That Matters!!!
Kathryn Baker
My dad’s favorite! I still cry when I hear it