Music of the Week: Father and Son (Cat Stevens)

Do you know that song by Cat Stevens called "Father and Son?" I love that song. Of course, I love the lyrics and the melody and the arrangement. But, I LOVE the way Cat Stevens sings the father parts different from the way he sings the son parts. It reminds me so much of the differences between adults and children. The children are always in a rush to get into things, but the adults try to step back, gauge the situation, and mull it over before diving in. What a constant struggle it is between parents and children! The risk averse and the risk takers--both wanting the same thing, just with different approaches. It's too bad that each side feels alone, even though they are probably working toward the same goal. This song just verbalizes this situation for me.



Father
Its not time to make a change,
Just relax, take it easy.
Youre still young, thats your fault,
Theres so much you have to know.
Find a girl, settle down,
If you want you can marry.
Look at me, I am old, but Im happy.

I was once like you are now, and I know that its not easy,
To be calm when youve found something going on.
But take your time, think a lot,
Why, think of everything youve got.
For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not.

Son
How can I try to explain, when I do he turns away again.
Its always been the same, same old story.
From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen.
Now theres a way and I know that I have to go away.
I know I have to go.

Father
Its not time to make a change,
Just sit down, take it slowly.
Youre still young, thats your fault,
Theres 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 Im happy.
(son-- away away away, I know I have to
Make this decision alone - no)
Son
All the times that I cried, keeping all the things I knew inside,
Its hard, but its harder to ignore it.
If they were right, Id agree, but its them you know not me.
Now theres a way and I know that I have to go away.
I know I have to go.
(father-- stay stay stay, why must you go and
Make this decision alone? )