My Father's Shoes
Level 42 Lyrics

Even now I see him walking home at sundown
Even though my father has passed away, I still vividly remember his evening routine of walking home from work.

He's whistling rock of ages
As he walks, my father is happily whistling a rock song called 'Rock of Ages'.

With his lunch box at his side
He always carries his lunch box with him as he comes home from work.

I still recall the smell of smoke
I can still remember the particular smell of smoke that would attach itself to my father's clothes after a long day at the factory.

And ashes on his jacket
In addition to the smoky smell, there would also be noticeable ash stains on his jacket.

And that factory dust was on his shoes
The unmistakable proof that he had been working hard at the factory were the layers of dust and dirt that had accumulated on his work shoes.

The afternoon he died
Sadly, my father passed away one afternoon, shortly after returning home from work.

I swore I'd never heed that factory whistle
After my father's death, I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't be trapped doing factory work like he had been.

In a banker's cage I signed a loan
In order to escape the factory environment, I took out a loan and became a banker instead.

Against my future sins
Unfortunately, I didn't realize that this decision would lead me towards a life of dishonesty and wrongdoing, which in turn would lead to more regrets and mistakes.

All the neighbors shook my hand
When I left the neighborhood to pursue my banking career, my neighbors supported me and wished me well.

And wished me well upon my leaving
It wasn't until much later that I realized that the life I was leading was not something to be proud of.

Though my father was a poor man
Despite not having much money, my father had a rich life thanks to the many friends he had made.

He owned a wealth of friends
Unlike me, my father was rich in social connections and relationships, which gave him a sense of fulfillment and happiness.

So take these boots that shine like Judas silver
I want to get rid of these expensive, showy boots that I've been wearing as a symbol of my power and wealth.

And all these sad reflections on lost untraveled roads
I've come to the realization that my decisions and actions have led me down a path of regret and missed opportunities.

While the rain falls on a field of bones and roses
As I contemplate my life choices, the world around me seems to reflect my feelings of despair and sorrow.

Give me back my father's shoes and let me walk in those
I long for the simplicity and contentment that my father's life represented, and I wish I could experience that in my own life.

My stroke was good, the deals fell fast end easy
I was successful in my banking career, making deals and earning a lot of money quickly and easily.

I hired the sweat of honest men and took the lion's share
In order to maintain my success, I didn't hesitate to exploit and take advantage of those around me, particularly my hardworking employees.

My wardrobe filled with shirts of silk
As a symbol of my newfound wealth, I indulged in the finest silks and luxurious clothing.

And boots of tender leather
I wore expensive and delicate boots that were a far cry from the sturdy, practical work shoes my father used to wear.

And I walked in them the halls of power
I used my wealth and influence to move in circles of power and authority.

But found no comfort there
Despite all my success and wealth, I found no real satisfaction or joy in the world of power and politics.

Lady lay these boots upon the fire
I'm asking someone to dispose of these expensive boots for good, symbolizing my desire to leave behind my life of greed and corruption.

'Cause lady now I swear I'll never wear this pair again
I'm making a solemn promise to myself and others to leave behind my corrupt ways and strive for simplicity and honesty in my life.

I meant to stand up straight and tall
I had always intended to lead an upright, honest life, but my actions and decisions took me down a different path.

It never was that easy
Despite my aspirations, I found it difficult to resist the temptations and pressures of the world around me.

Now these soles are stained from walking on the dreams
I'm realizing that my ambition and pursuit of wealth have left me with a sense of guilt and shame that is impossible to shake off.

Of better men
I look upon others who were content with their simple lives and feel a sense of envy and admiration for what they achieved.

Give me back my father's shoes and let me walk in those
I'm reaffirming my desire to leave behind my corrupt ways and live a simpler, more fulfilling life like my father's.