I Love My Dad
Sun Kil Moon Lyrics

When I was young my father taught me not to gloat.
My father made sure I didn't become arrogant or boastful by physically subduing me whenever I did. However, I don't hold a grudge because he was only reacting to my bratty behavior and lack of respect.

If I came home too proud of myself I get wrestled to the floor and choked.
Whenever I became full of myself, my father would physically take me down and show me who's boss to teach me humility.

But I forgive him for that.
Although my father's disciplinary actions were extreme, I choose to forgive him because he meant well and only wanted to teach me a valuable lesson.

He was an eighth grade drop out and I was being a brat.
My father never got to finish school and I was being a disrespectful child, which may have triggered his rough handling of me.

I forgive him, I do.
I have come to terms with my father's past behavior and I don't hold a grudge against him anymore.

I know that he loves me and he knows I love him too.
Despite our rocky past, I am certain that my father loves me and accepts me for who I am, just as I love and accept him for who he is.

When I was young my father told me, to each his own.
My father taught me the value of tolerance and individuality by advising me to respect people's different preferences and lifestyles.

The lady said as she kissed the cow, some like the fiddle, some like the trombone and I live by that rule.
My father embraced the lady's message of accepting diversity by adopting it as his own philosophy and living accordingly.

Your trip is your trip and my trip is my trip too.
My father believed in personal freedom and respected others' right to choose their own life paths while not imposing his own beliefs on them.

Yeah, I'll mind my own business.
My father wasn't one to interfere with other people's affairs and preferred to focus on his own life and goals instead.

Oh, having no rules in my friend here have.
My father was a carefree and independent person who didn't conform to societal norms or expectations, and he valued his friends who shared the same outlook.

I love my dad. (x4)
I express my affection and gratitude towards my father, who has influenced and shaped me in countless ways, through this simple yet powerful phrase.

Your kid goes to the private Berkley school with one black kid.
I highlight the stark contrast between my kid's public school experience, which includes violence and discrimination, and your kid's privileged private school experience, which is sheltered and homogeneous.

My kid goes to the public school, came home with cracked ribs.
I reveal the harsh reality of my child's school life, where bullying and physical abuse are rampant and go unaddressed by the authorities.

And when my kid's eighteen he'll be out there like I was and probably chasing his dreams.
Despite the challenges he faces, I have faith that my child will grow up strong and resilient, with the courage to pursue his dreams and goals.

And when your kid's twenty-two, he'll have an internship at a law firm and hey that's okay too.
I acknowledge your child's accomplishments and opportunities, but also recognize that these external markers of success don't define one's worth or happiness.

When I was five I came home from kindergarten crying cause they sat me next to an albino.
I recount a childhood incident where my own prejudice and ignorance caused me to discriminate against someone who looked different, but my father corrected me and taught me the value of acceptance and love for all.

My dad said son everyone's different, you gotta love em all equally.
My father taught me a timeless lesson of treating everyone with respect and kindness, regardless of their appearance, background, or beliefs.

And then my dad sat me down, he said you gotta love all people, pink, red, black, or brown.
My father reiterated his message of inclusivity and diversity by giving me concrete examples of skin colors and teaching me to value all of them equally.

And then just after dinner he played me the album They Only Come Out At Night by Edgar Winter.
My father shared his love of music with me by playing one of his favorite albums after dinner, which became a fond memory I cherish to this day.

When I was young my dad taught me the beauty of patience.
My father instilled in me the virtue of patience and took me under his wing to teach me this trait, which I've carried with me throughout my life.

We'd go and hang with his friend Billy Brislin all day in his Stubenville basement.
I describe a bonding experience I had with my father and his disabled friend, which taught me the value of spending quality time with people and showing compassion.

We'd watch wrestling matches on TV and Billy couldn't move cause he was handicapped.
I recall a shared pastime my father and I had with his friend, where we watched wrestling matches on TV, despite the fact that Billy was physically unable to move due to his disability.

And I learned to shoot the shit, and how to care for those in need and to show respect.
Through spending time with my father and his friend, I gained valuable life skills such as conversational skills, empathy, and respect for others, regardless of their differences.

When I was a kid my dad brought home a guitar he got from Sears.
My father's love for music and his desire to see me excel led him to bring home a guitar for me to practice and hone my skills.

I took lessons from a neighbor lady but it wasn't going anywhere.
I tried to learn guitar from a neighbor lady, but I struggled with the lessons and didn't make much progress.

He went and got me a good teacher and in no time at all I was getting better.
My father recognized my potential and invested in my musical education by finding me a qualified teacher, which made a huge difference in my skill level and confidence.

I can play just fine.
I became proficient at playing guitar and developed a passion for music, thanks to my father's support and encouragement.

I still practice a lot but not as much as Nels Cline.
I continue to play and practice guitar, but don't compare myself to famous musicians like Nels Cline, who are on a different level of skill and experience.

When I was young my dad told me to pay gossip no mind.
My father cautioned me against engaging in or believing gossip and rumors, and told me to stay focused on my own path.

When people talk bad on you you gotta flick it off your shoulder like a fly.
My father taught me to have a thick skin and not let negative comments or judgements affect me, by brushing them off like an annoying bug.

Learn to pick your punches, don't get no tussles, dead in ditches.
My father warned me against unnecessary violence or conflict, and advised me to choose my battles wisely and avoid getting hurt or hurting others in the process.

Life is short young man, get out there and make the best of it while you can.
My father encouraged me to live life to the fullest and pursue my dreams and goals with passion and purpose, cherishing every moment along the way.

I ain't trying to say my dad was some kind of a perfect saint.
I acknowledge that my father, like any human being, wasn't flawless or without faults, and that he struggled with his own shortcomings and challenges.

When something set him off, I hit the floor quicker than what Mike Tyson did to Ricky Sveen.
I recount a past incident where my father's temper got the best of him and I had to protect myself from his outburst by quickly getting out of harm's way, using a comparison to emphasize the intensity of the situation.

I hit the floor so fast, but that was so long ago and we both moved past.
Although the memory of my father's anger and aggression lingers, I've come to terms with it and forgiven him, and we've both grown and matured since then.

My life is pretty good, I owe it to him.
I attribute much of my success and happiness in life to my father's guidance, love, and sacrifice, and recognize his role in shaping me into the person I am today.

My dad did the best he could.
I express my admiration and gratitude for my father, who did his best to provide for and support our family, despite his own struggles and limitations.

I love you dad. (x4)
I reiterate my unconditional love and appreciation for my father, who means the world to me and has had a profound impact on my life and identity.