Lyrics I Felt - The Living Years

The Living Years - Mike & The Mechanics

This song must have been written by someone who had astrained relationship with a father, yet wished it was different, when it was too late. Men (read fathers) are not often good communicators and can be less than sensitive in expressing opinions. Some of the words of this song were were:

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 thats all weve got
You say you just dont see it, He says its perfect sense
You just cant get agreement, In this present tense
We all talk a different language, Talking in defence

Chorus:
Say it loud, say it clear, You can listen as well as you hear
Its too late when we die, To admit we dont see eye to eye

So we open up a quarrel, Between the present and the past
We only sacrifice the future, Its the bitterness that lasts..

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 the song has a powerful tune and lyrics. Anyone who found their father's communication difficult can relate to this. Yet the father is the one primarily at fault if communication with a child is poor. Fathers, talk with your chilren openly, yet kindly. Don't leave them with a legacy of if onlys.