Silver Haired Daddy of Mine
Johnny Cash feat. Tommy Cash Lyrics
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Bravely fighting the battle of time
There's a dear one who's weathered life's sorrow
It's that silver haired daddy of mine
If I could recall all the heartaches
Dear old Daddy, I've caused you to bear
If I could erase those lines from your face
If God would but grant me the power
Just to turn back the pages of time
I'd give all I own if I could but atone
To that silver haired daddy of mine
I know it's too late, dear old Daddy
To repay for the heartaches and cares
But dear Mother is waiting in Heaven
Just to comfort and solace you there
If I could recall all the heartaches
Dear old Daddy, I've caused you to bear
If I could erase those lines from your face
And bring back the gold to your hair
If God would but grant me the power
Just to turn back the pages of time
I'd give all I own if I could but atone
To that silver haired daddy of mine
"That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine" is a touching song by Johnny Cash that speaks of the love and appreciation the singer has for his dad. The first verse describes the setting in which the old father lives - a vine-covered shack in the mountains. He has fought bravely through the challenges of life, which have left their marks in his silver hair. The chorus is an expression of regret and a desire to turn back time, to right the wrongs done to the father - to erase the lines from his face and restore the gold in his hair. The second verse suggests that the father's heartache and cares may be too much to repay, but the singer finds solace in the thought that his mother is waiting to comfort him in heaven.
The lyrics of the song are a tribute to the resilience and sacrifices of fathers. The song resonated with many people, especially those who had fathers that had to withstand the difficulties of life. The song also speaks of the power of regret and redemption, the longing to make amend for past mistakes, and the hope for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
In a vine covered shack in the mountains
There's an old man living in a small, rustic home in the mountains.
Bravely fighting the battle of time
Despite his age, he's still putting up a fight and living his life.
There's a dear one who's weathered life's sorrow
This old man has faced and endured many hardships in his life.
It's that silver haired daddy of mine
The artist is referring to their own father who has grown old with silver hair.
If I could recall all the heartaches
The artist regrets causing their father pain and wishes they could make amends.
Dear old Daddy, I've caused you to bear
The singer takes responsibility for their actions and acknowledges that their father has suffered because of them.
If I could erase those lines from your face
The singer wishes they could erase the physical signs of their father's suffering and make him happy again.
And bring back the gold to your hair
They also wish they could restore their father's youthfulness and vitality.
If God would but grant me the power
The artist knows that they cannot go back in time, but they still yearn for the ability to change the past.
Just to turn back the pages of time
The artist wishes they could turn back time and undo the harm they've caused.
I'd give all I own if I could but atone
The singer expresses their desire to make things right and make up for their mistakes.
To that silver haired daddy of mine
Ultimately, the artist hopes to make peace with their father and show their love and respect for him.
I know it's too late, dear old daddy
Even though the past cannot be changed, the singer still wants to express their remorse.
To repay for the heartaches and cares
They want to make amends and ease their father's pain.
But dear mother is waiting in Heaven
The singer finds solace in the fact that their mother, who has also passed away, is waiting to comfort their father in heaven.
Just to comfort and solace you there
Their mother will provide their father with peace and consolation in the afterlife.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Gene Autry, Jimmy Long
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind