The song “Father & Son” by Cat Stevens has become increasingly poignant and powerfully meaningful to me as I raise my three children. They continue to grow up faster than I want them to but what can you do about it? All I can do is try to be the best example I can be and shower them with all the love I can and share whatever wisdom I’ve got. Who knows how much of it will “stick” but we must try our best every day to prepare them for the real world out there. Gosh, the thought of them living on their own sends shivers down my spine. Someone once said, “Having a child is like living the rest of your life with your heart outside your body”. So true.

Here’s the wonderful Cat Stevens performing his classic “Father & Son” some 35 years apart. The first from 1972 (original music video and a live performance) and one from 2007. Checkout the lyrics below. Keep in mind that this song is actually a conversation between a father and son, not just from the dad’s perspective as most people think.

Here’s Cat Stevens performing it live in 1971

Here’s Cat Stevens as Yusuf Islam over 40 years later performing this song that still moves people so much

 

Also, here’s a  recent remake by Ronan Keating featuring Cat Stevens aka Yusuf Islam. I love all the photos of fathers and sons in the video.

Here are the lyrics.

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? )