The Living Years

I've been thinking all day about some sad news I heard at the weekend. Someone I used to be close to lost his father yesterday and it has really made me consider a few things. Why do we all take our loved ones for granted? Why is it that we always wait until it's too late to say the things we want to say?

This moving song was written from the perspective of a son who had a conflicted relationship with his Dad. After his father dies, he discovers that they had a much stronger bond than he ever realised, and regrets not saying more while he was alive. It's called 'The Living Years" by Mike and the Mechanics.

"Every generation

Blames the one before

And all of their frustrations

Come beating on your door

I know that I'm a prisoner

To all my father held so dear

I know that I'm a hostage

To all his hopes and fears

I just wish I could have told him

in the living years

Crumpled bits of paper

Filled with imperfect thought

Stilted conversations

I'm afraid that's all we've got

You say you just don't see it

He says it's perfect sense

You just can't get agreement

In this present tense

We all talk a different language

Talking in defence

Say it loud, say it clear

You can listen as well as you hear

It's too late when we die

To admit we don't see eye to eye

I wasn't there that morning

When my father passed away

I didn't get to tell him

All the things I had to say

I think I caught his spirit

Later that same year

I'm sure I heard his echo

In my baby's new born tears

I just wish I could have told him

in the living years"

Listen to this song at http://vodpod.com/watch/1121894-mike-the-mechanics-the-living-years