Father and Son

I.

Images: Jonatan and Michael Kurzwelly, April 2020

II.

by Yusuf Islam (aka Cat Stevens)

Father: It’s not time to make a change
Just relax, take it easy
You’re still young, that’s your fault
There’s so much you have to know
Find a girl, settle down
If you want you can marry
Look at me, I am old but I’m happy
I was once like you are now
And I know that it’s not easy
To be calm when you’ve found
Something going on
But take your time, think a lot
Why, think of everything you’ve 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?
It’s always been the same, same old story
From the moment I could talk, I was ordered to listen
Now there’s a way, and I know that I have to go
Away, I know I have to go

Father: It’s not time to make a change
Just sit down, take it slowly You’re still young, that’s your fault
There’s 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 I’m happy

Son: Away, away, away, I know I have to make this decision alone – no
Son: All the times that I’ve cried, keeping all the things
I knew inside
It’s hard, but it’s harder to ignore it
If they were right I’d agree, but it’s them you know not me
Now there’s 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? No