Father & Son
Johnny Cash (feat. Fiona Apple) Lyrics
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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.
And I know that it's not easy,
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
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,
Just sit down, take it slowly.
You're still young, that's your fault,
There's so much you have to go through.
Find a girl, settle down,
If you want you can marry.
Look at me, I am old, but I'm happy.
All the times that I cried, keeping all the things I knew inside,
It's hard, but it's harder to ignore it.
If they were right, I'd agree, but it's them you know not me.
Now there's a way and I know that I have to go away.
I know I have to go.
The song "Father & Son" by Johnny Cash (feat. Fiona Apple) is a two-part conversation between a father and son. In the first part, the father advises the son not to rush and make impulsive decisions about his life. He tells him to take it easy and find a girl to settle down with if he wants to. He assures him that despite his old age, he is happy and content with his life. The father acknowledges that he was once like his son but reminds him that it's not easy to be calm when there's something going on. He encourages his son to take his time and think about everything he's got because his dreams may not be here tomorrow.
In the second part, the son expresses his frustration with his father's lack of understanding towards him. He tries to explain his perspective, but his father turns away, and it's always been the same old story. He feels as though his father doesn't listen to him, and he was always ordered to listen since he could talk. He acknowledges that he has to leave and find his own way, even though it's hard, and he has to keep his emotions to himself. The father intervenes again and advises his son to sit down and take it slowly. He reiterates that he's still young and has so much to go through. He tells him to find a girl, settle down if he wants to, and shares that despite his old age, he's happy with his life.
Line by Line Meaning
It's not time to make a change,
Don't rush into anything now
Just relax, take it easy.
Take things at your own pace
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 to learn about life
Find a girl, settle down,
Find someone to share your life with
If you want you can marry.
Consider the option of marriage
Look at me, I am old, but I'm happy.
I've found happiness even though I'm old
I was once like you are now
I understand what it's like to be in your shoes
And I know that it's not easy,
I know that life can be challenging
To be calm when you've found
To remain composed when something's bothering you
Something going on.
When there's a problem or challenge to face
But take your time, think a lot,
Take your time to reflect and consider
Why, think of everything you've got.
Remember all the good things in your life
For you will still be here tomorrow
You'll have a chance to face things again tomorrow
But your dreams may not.
Don't let your dreams slip away
How can I try to explain
I don't know how to make him understand
When I do he turns away again
Whenever I try to talk, he avoids the conversation
It's always been the same, same old story.
This has been going on for a long time
From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen.
I've been taught to listen to authority my whole life
Now there's a way and I know that I have to go away.
I've realized that I need to leave and discover my own path
All the times that I cried, keeping all the things I knew inside,
I've been holding in my emotions and thoughts
It's hard, but it's harder to ignore it.
It's difficult to confront these issues, but it's even harder to avoid them
If they were right, I'd agree, but it's them you know not me.
I don't agree with the opinions of others
Now there's a way and I know that I have to go away,
I understand that I need to leave and find my own path
I know I have to go.
I've made the decision to leave
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Yusuf Islam
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind