Tears for a Father
Seventh Wonder Lyrics


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What's going on inside of you...
Still wondering
If my voice is reaching through to you...
First day of school today
And I was late
Cause of the glass
By mamas bed
I think she's missing you

Miss Angel told us
Write some lines
About your families
I finished first
I turned in blank...

Don't want to play
Another day without you
Oh - daddy
Open up your tired eyes
Want you to watch my games
And say you're proud of me
Want you to do whatever fathers do...

Today my best friend Tim and me
stole apples from the Millhouse tree
Please don't tell...
I know you won't tell

If she finds out that I've been bad
She gets so sad and when she does
The muddy water helps her smile...
A while

But I won't cry
No I won't




I'll be strong, good night dad
I will turn the radio on

Overall Meaning

Seventh Wonder's song "Tears for a Father" is a poignant reflection on the thoughts and feelings of a child who has lost their father. The opening lines "What's going on inside of you... Still wondering / If my voice is reaching through to you..." convey the sense of separation and distance between the child and their father, indicating a lack of communication and a yearning for connection. The following lines reveal that the child is starting school, but is late because of the glass by their mother's bed, which suggests that their mother is grieving the loss of their father, and this is having an impact on their everyday life.


As the child sits in class, they are asked to write about their families, but they turn in a blank page, indicating a reluctance to confront the reality of their situation. However, as the song progresses, the child expresses their desire for their father to be present in their life, to watch their games and be proud of them. The playful memory of stealing apples with a friend is also shared, but with the cautious request not to tell their mother.


The final lines of the song, "But I won't cry / No I won't / I'll be strong, good night dad / I will turn the radio on" reveal a brave face being put on in the face of sadness, with the child trying to find comfort and distraction in music. Overall, the song captures the bittersweet emotions of a child who is trying to make sense of their father's absence and grappling with their own feelings of loss.


Line by Line Meaning

What's going on inside of you...
I am curious about your inner turmoil.


Still wondering
I have not received an answer.


If my voice is reaching through to you...
I am uncertain if my message is being conveyed.


First day of school today
I attended my first day of school recently.


And I was late
I arrived after the scheduled start time.


Cause of the glass
A broken object was the reason for my delay.


By mamas bed
The object was located near my mother's sleeping area.


I think she's missing you
My suspicion is that my mother feels a sense of loss in regards to you.


Miss Angel told us
A person by the name of Miss Angel gave us directions.


Write some lines
The direction given was to create written content.


About your families
The subject of the written content was familial relationships.


I finished first
I was able to complete the task in the shortest amount of time.


I turned in blank...
However, I decided to submit an incomplete work.


Don't want to play
I have no desire to engage in recreational activities.


Another day without you
I dislike spending time without your presence.


Oh - daddy
I affectionately address you using the title of father.


Open up your tired eyes
I wish for you to awaken from your state of fatigue.


Want you to watch my games
I desire for you to observe my athletic endeavors.


And say you're proud of me
I expect to hear you express satisfaction with my accomplishments.


Want you to do whatever fathers do...
I anticipate that you will perform typical fatherly actions.


Today my best friend Tim and me
A friend of mine by the name of Tim and I


stole apples from the Millhouse tree
We obtained fruit from a tree belonging to the Millhouse family without their consent.


Please don't tell...
I implore you to keep this information a secret.


I know you won't tell
I trust that you will not divulge this information.


If she finds out that I've been bad
If my mother discovers our misdeeds...


She gets so sad and when she does
She experiences a great deal of sadness...


The muddy water helps her smile...
However, the sight of murky water is able to evoke a sense of joy within her.


A while
Although it is only temporary.


But I won't cry
I intend to remain composed and emotionless.


No I won't
This is a fact that I am certain of.


I'll be strong, good night dad
I will demonstrate fortitude, farewell father.


I will turn the radio on
I plan on activating the radio device.




Contributed by John J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Metalion Magic

The way Tommy delivers the, "Miss Angel told us..." line is pure storytelling through singing.  Definitely one of the best vocal performances I have heard.

Andy Herring

Flawless vocal. As an aspiring rock singer I would love to have half of this dude's ability :-)

\m/

Nana

totally agree :D him and roy khan <3

Ewa P.

Something amazing...
He's vocal is PERFECT...
I wanna cry.. this was so F*****G good..

Neon Omar

@Cat Hegarty asshole wat's up. Been in the situation? Acting tough?

Cat Hegarty

Nvm I just cried

Cat Hegarty

Boy shut yo sensitive ass up

Maggie Matthews

The muddy water helps her smile- good lord this is beautiful and devastating at the same time

Luiz Carlos Santos Filho

@Maggie Matthews oh, thank you.

Maggie Matthews

@Luiz Carlos Santos Filho It's a sort of poetic way of saying alcohol

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