Father And Son
Stevens (Cat) Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just relax, take it easy
You're still young, that's your fault,
There's so much you have to know
Find a girl, settle down,
If you want you can marry
Look at me, I am old, but I'm happy
To be calm when you've found something going on
But take your time, think a lot,
Why, think of everything you've got
For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not
How can I try to explain, when I do he turns away again
It's always been the same, same old story
From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen
Now there's a way and I know that I have to go away
I know I have to go
It's not time to make a change,
Just sit down, take it slowly
You're still young, that's your fault,
There's so much you have to go through
Find a girl, settle down,
If you want you can marry
Look at me, I am old, but I'm happy
All the times that I cried, keeping all the things I knew inside,
It's hard, but it's harder to ignore it
If they were right, I'd agree, but it's them you know not me
Now there's a way and I know that I have to go away
I know I have to go
In "Father and Son," Cat Stevens takes on the voices of both a father and a son, each offering their own perspective on the son's coming of age. The father advises his son to "just relax, take it easy" and reminds him that he is still young and has much to learn. He urges his son to "find a girl, settle down" and to consider marriage as a part of his future. He also acknowledges that he himself has grown old and is happy in his old age.
The son, however, is restless and feels the need to leave home and strike out on his own. He finds it difficult to explain this to his father, who seems set in his ways and unable to fully understand the son's desires. The son feels that he has to go away in order to find his own path in life, and he struggles with the emotions that come with leaving his family behind.
Overall, the song is a poignant exploration of the tension between generations and the difficulty of finding one's own way in life while still respecting the wisdom of those who came before.
Line by Line Meaning
It's not time to make a change,
Don't rush into making big decisions.
Just relax, take it easy
Take a break and don't stress about things.
You're still young, that's your fault,
You have the advantage of youth, but also the responsibility of being inexperienced.
There's so much you have to know
There is a lot to learn and experience in life.
Find a girl, settle down,
Consider finding a partner and building a stable life.
If you want you can marry
You have the freedom to choose your own path.
Look at me, I am old, but I'm happy
As an older person, I can assure you that happiness is possible.
I was once like you are now, and I know that it's not easy,
I understand how hard it can be to navigate this stage of life.
To be calm when you've found something going on
It's difficult to stay level-headed when there is chaos or conflict.
But take your time, think a lot,
Slow down and take the time to really consider all options.
Why, think of everything you've got
Remember all the good things you have in life.
For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not
You need to prioritize your dreams and aspirations before they slip away.
How can I try to explain, when I do he turns away again
I'm having trouble getting through to my son and communicating effectively.
It's always been the same, same old story
This pattern has been happening for a long time and is familiar to us.
From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen
I was taught to be submissive and obedient from a young age.
Now there's a way and I know that I have to go away
I see a path forward and know that I have to leave in order to pursue it.
All the times that I cried, keeping all the things I knew inside,
I've had to suppress my emotions and knowledge in order to keep the peace.
It's hard, but it's harder to ignore it
Ignoring the truth is even more difficult in the long run.
If they were right, I'd agree, but it's them you know not me
I don't agree with the opinions of others, even if they are close to me.
Now there's a way and I know that I have to go away
My path forward requires me to leave behind what I know.
I know I have to go
I am committed to following my own path, even if it means leaving behind those I love.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Yusuf Islam
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mirladanganan6739
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@dougthePogingguitarist
love this song
@bryanquichocho1280
This song is one of many favorites from Cat! Thx dude🤙🏾.
@ozziegreen4850
Stay blessed ; stay sane in this insanity❣️
@christianschneider4926
:)
@abdelkaderbenaricha5312
I can't write or speak English properly, but I know that passionate people like me can understand me and feel me through these little big sentences." I am a very sensitive and passionate person until I have tears in my eyes.. And when I listen to this song I think of my father, a great man who died of cancer when I was very young. Then I grew up and I think of him, when he said, my son, I am really sick buying myself a piece of cake. Life without him and his compassion is cruel. I feel very alone. .
I live with great sadness in my heart to be praised by my relatives and friends.
@jaeveena
I'm leaving this comment here so after a month or a year when someone likes it, I get reminded of this song <3
@ahmadismail6626
Reminder🙂
@AlisonJacobson77Ching
❤
@AlisonJacobson77Ching
Beautiful insight, & human being...this speaks to my Soul. 'Then' to ' Now'. From the child, to the parent, parent love for child, 'seeing' own parents,...Lifetime relevance, this Loop of Life~ moving past ' self'.. to foresight, reflection & understanding. 50 years of viewpoints for me...such an ever evolving song, in this ever evolving journey. Thank you, each & every time. 🎶❤