My Father's Son
Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder Lyrics
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In the hill beside this river rest my mother's gentle bones
And daddy there beside her among his next of kin
And their legacy passed down to me the sons of mountain men
Raised to be a miner by a miners callused hands
Passed my youth between these mountains where I grew to understand
That family was the word of God and faith was it's demand
Well, a rich man writes the book of laws a poor man must defend
But the highest laws are written on the hearts of honest men
If that cup is passed to me to do what must be done
When they lay me down remind them I was just my father's son
I've walked among these people, heard the stories that they tell
I've crawled beside them in the mines and touched the walls of hell
I've shared their sacred secrets, known their triumph and their pain
And right or wrong I'll stand with them on the final judgment day
They say God gives his comfort when the time of trouble comes
They say we'll know no share of peace till we lay down our guns
But will my boy have the chance to do the things I've never done
Or will he, like me, be told that he must be his father's son?
Well, a rich man writes the book of laws a poor man must defend
But the highest laws are written on the hearts of honest men
When that cup is passed to me to do what must be done
On a chunk of coal just carve these words, ''I was just my father's son''
In Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder's song My Father's Son, the lyrics express the singer's pride in his family's roots and mountain heritage. The song begins by acknowledging the singer's ancestors and their final resting place in the hills by the river. He embraces the family legacy passed down to him from his father and his mountain forefathers. The lyrics also speak to the traditions of coal mining, which is a significant part of the singer's past growing up in the mountains. He recognizes the importance of family and faith in his upbringing and understands that life and death are a part of the coal mining culture.
The song also touches on the idea of equal rights and how the rich have an advantage in society while the poor struggle to make ends meet. However, the morals and values that guide an honest man are more potent than any book of laws written by a rich man. The singer knows that his family history and heritage are important and hopes to pass them down to future generations. He wants his son to embrace and understand his mountain heritage and pass it down to his family as well. The song ends with the singer knowing that he has lived a good life, and when he passes, he wants to be remembered simply as his father's son.
Line by Line Meaning
My history is no secret it's written in the stones
My past and family lineage is clearly visible and traceable through the geological structures of the region.
In the hill beside this river rest my mother's gentle bones
My mother is buried in the nearby hills, her remains are now a part of the surrounding nature.
And daddy there beside her among his next of kin
My father is also buried nearby, resting with his relatives.
And their legacy passed down to me the sons of mountain men
Through my father and mother, I have inherited the culture and way of life of the mountain people.
Raised to be a miner by a miner's calloused hands
My father worked as a miner and taught me the skills of the trade from a young age.
Passed my youth between these mountains where I grew to understand
Growing up in the mountains, I learned to appreciate the natural beauty and the hardships that came with living in this environment.
That family was the word of God and faith was its demand
My family believed in the importance of close family ties and the role of faith in their lives.
And life and death the same came from the coal beneath this land
Working in the mines was a way of life, but it also carried significant risks that could result in death.
Well, a rich man writes the book of laws a poor man must defend
The laws are often created and enforced by those in power, leaving the poor to bear the burdens of their decisions.
But the highest laws are written on the hearts of honest men
True moral laws come from within oneself, and are upheld by those who are honest and righteous.
If that cup is passed to me to do what must be done
If I am given the task of making difficult decisions or taking on important responsibilities,
When they lay me down remind them I was just my father's son
When I die, I want to be remembered as someone who carried on the legacy and teachings of my father.
I've walked among these people, heard the stories that they tell
Through my experiences in the mountain community, I have learned their stories and struggles.
I've crawled beside them in the mines and touched the walls of hell
Working in the mines was a physically and emotionally grueling experience that brought me closer to the people I worked alongside.
I've shared their sacred secrets, known their triumph and their pain
Through my relationships with these people, I have gained their trust and empathy for their experiences.
And right or wrong I'll stand with them on the final judgment day
Regardless of their actions and decisions, I will support my community and stand by their side in the end.
They say God gives his comfort when the time of trouble comes
During times of hardship, people find solace in their faith and rely on divine support for comfort.
They say we'll know no share of peace till we lay down our guns
Only when we give up our battles and conflicts can we find true peace and resolution.
But will my boy have the chance to do the things I've never done
I wonder if my son will have opportunities and experiences that I never had.
Or will he, like me, be told that he must be his father's son?
Will my son feel pressure to follow in my footsteps and uphold the traditions of our family?
On a chunk of coal just carve these words, ''I was just my father's son''
When I am gone, I want to be remembered simply as someone who continued the legacy of his father and the mountain people.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RICKY SKAGGS, GEORGE MICHAEL GREEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind