Father and Son

Sit up my baby son

And let me tell thee of some times

When men would fashion beauty from firewood

And gather food from the woods

When women would sew and cook to keep thee warm

And life was simple

Stand up young son and let me see thee

And tell thee of some times

When men were hungry for success

When brains began to beggar boredom

And steam and smoke were in our throats

And life was hard

Stand up tall my young man

And let me tell thee of some times

When guns and power ruled the land

When blood flowed freely and life was cheap

When images once only in mind were put on screens

To enjoy or fear

And life was so complex to consider

Now sit thee down my grown up lad

And rest thee by my bed

And I’ll tell thee of times I shrink from now

When age and frailty are comedy

And jack the lad is king

When potions cure us of all life’s ills

But poison our minds with the need to escape

And life is sweeping past me like an irresistible tide

Which I now long to carry me with it

Then stand up alone son of mine and be proud

That God made thee and loves thee still

For all the bad things that you’ll see

You will also find good if you seek it

And for all the tensions of life and anguish

May you find peace in the succour of others

And know that I love thee

And life can be so sweet