Tears
Mark Knopler & Chet Atkins Lyrics
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Come on Son let's go out and play
Sometimes it seems like yesterday
And I'd climb up the closet shelf
When I was all by my-self
Grab his hat and fix the brim
Pretending I was him
No matter how hard I try
No matter how many years go by
I still can't say good-bye
He always took care of Mom and me.
We all cut down a Christmas tree
He always had some time for me
Wind blows through the trees
Street lights, they still shine bright
Most things are the same
But I miss my Dad to-night
I walked by a Salvation Army store Saw a hat like my
Daddy wore
Tried it on when I walked in
Still trying to be like him
No matter how hard I try
No matter how many years go by
No matter how many tears I cry
I still can't say good-bye
The Mark Knopfler song Tears is a poignant tribute to a loved and missed father. The opening lines reminisce about carefree childhood days when the singer's Dad would take him out to play. As the song progresses, the singer describes how he always tried to emulate his father, right down to wearing his dad's hat when he "walked by a Salvation Army store." He shares how "most things are the same, but I miss my Dad tonight." The song speaks to the timeless pain of losing a loved one, as even years later, it is hard to say goodbye.
The song's powerful message of loss and missing a loved one is a common theme in Knopfler's music. The way in which he paints a vivid picture of his father's hat and the physical sensation of wearing it, of trying to be like him, emphasizes the singer's deep longing for his dad. The line "most things are the same, but I miss my Dad tonight" is particularly affecting in its simplicity, accurately capturing the powerful sense of loss with which so many can relate.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was young, my Dad would say
My father would tell me to join him in playing when I was young.
Come on Son let's go out and play
He would invite me to go outside and play with him.
Sometimes it seems like yesterday
I can still clearly remember these times as if they happened yesterday.
And I'd climb up the closet shelf
I used to climb up the closet shelf to retrieve my father's hat.
When I was all by myself
I used to do it alone without anyone else's help.
Grab his hat and fix the brim
I would take his hat and adjust it properly.
Pretending I was him
I used to imagine being my father and imitate his behavior.
No matter how hard I try
Despite all my attempts
No matter how many tears I cry
Even with all the tears I have shed
No matter how many years go by
Even with the passage of time.
I still can't say good-bye
I still can't let go and say farewell to the memories of my father.
He always took care of Mom and me.
My father always provided and looked after my mother and me.
We all cut down a Christmas tree
We used to go together to chop down a Christmas tree.
He always had some time for me
My father always made time for me despite his busy schedule.
Wind blows through the trees
The gentle breeze moves through the trees.
Street lights, they still shine bright
The street lights still illuminate brightly.
Most things are the same
Most things have stayed the same.
But I miss my Dad to-night
Despite everything, I miss my father tonight.
I walked by a Salvation Army store Saw a hat like my Daddy wore
I passed by a Salvation Army store and saw a hat like the one my father used to wear.
Tried it on when I walked in
I tried the hat on as soon as I went inside.
Still trying to be like him
I am still trying to be like my father.
No matter how hard I try
Despite my best efforts.
No matter how many years go by
Even with the passage of time.
No matter how many tears I cry
Even with all the tears I have shed.
I still can't say good-bye
I still can't say farewell to the memories of my father.
Lyrics © REGENT MUSIC CORPORATION, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DJANGO REINHARDT, STEPHANE GRAPPELLI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@simorado
Best version ever... what a masterpiece
@user-ny1jf7nc8q
Чет - самый великий гитарист.
@VANEPS7
The violin adds so much to this song as it did when Django played it. I had a friend who said of Django's recordings "He should get rid of that fiddle player and hire a mandolin player." I suggested that he should never say that in the Hot Club in France or he might not escape with his life. Grapelli and Django were a team like peanut butter and jelly or peaches and cream. Oh well there is no accounting for taste or lack of it. Chet and Mark did this beautiful song justice to say the least.
@nilsonmeuccineto6659
Divino, Encantador e Mágico!!!
@ahha6304
no, Django turn his head to Chet and smile, and then both look down to Mark and smile for him from the above actually :)
@johngarrick2032
Brilliant match t’gether
@norbicerograsaenlosoidos7748
It is heartbreakingly sad and beautiful
@elizabethgullickson
Beautiful
@ericktappan2553
I learned this song on tablature and this is the first time I've actually heard it. I'm amazed at how close it sounds to this, except I've been playing it a little too fast. Django was otherworldly.
@sharpurse
Just WOW