Ghost on the Wall
Ghost on the Wall: A Ballad of Absent Fatherhood
Lyrics
I have too little time
Expressing a shortage of time
and they grow up so fast
Noting how quickly children grow
with a daddy on the road
Being away from home to earn money
to make a little cash
Working to provide financially
I keep bringing home things
Returning with gifts or items belatedly
so 2 years too late
Regret over delayed actions or gifts
Next time I'll bring back
Planning to bring back something valuable next time
some real estate
Desire to provide something substantial
Hey little pumpkins
Greeting children affectionately
your dad is home
Acknowledging his presence at home
The ghost on the wall
Feeling like a distant, intangible presence
that chased his songs
Being a fading figure associated with music
But by first light
Disappear at daybreak, leaving a sense of loss
when the bugs bite
Describing discomfort or challenges at night
like the dark night
Emphasizing departure in the early morning
he'll be gone
Implying transient presence or existence
Never brought you to school
Regret for not participating in child's education
Never made you a meal
Not engaging in parental responsibilities
Never thought you how to pray
Failure to impart moral values
and not to steal
Not teaching ethics or principles
Too busy playing songs
Prioritizing music over family
for the lonely and drunk
Performing for a specific audience
waking up hungover in the junk
Waking up after heavy drinking in a messy state
Hey little pumpkins
Repeating acknowledgment of presence
your dad is home
Reiterating the feeling of being a distant figure
The ghost on the wall
Continuing as an elusive, intangible presence
that chased his songs
Describing the haunting nature of music career
But by first light
Vanishing when morning arrives
when the bugs bite
Describing discomfort at nightfall
like the dark night
Reiterating departure at dawn
he'll be gone
Emphasizing fleeting existence
When you grow up
Forecasting the future when the father is absent
and your dad has checked out
Imagining the father's absence in children's lives
and have kids to feed
Implying responsibilities that will be understood later
you´ll see what it's all about
Realizing the challenges of providing for a family
Better find a woman
Advising on finding a strong partner
stronger than steel
Desiring a resilient and supportive spouse
just like your mama
Praising the qualities of a mother figure
to keep it all real
Emphasizing the importance of authenticity
Hey little pumpkins
Repeatedly addressing children in an affectionate manner
your dad is home
Reiterating the feeling of being a distant figure
The ghost on the wall
Continuing as an elusive, intangible presence
that chased his songs
Describing the haunting nature of music career
But by first light
Vanishing when morning arrives
when the bugs bite
Describing discomfort at nightfall
like the dark night
Reiterating departure at dawn
he'll be gone
Emphasizing fleeting existence
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