Pass
Reflections of Fatherhood: Passing Time by the River
Lyrics
Safe on the bank my hand in his hand
Depicts safety and a connection with someone, likely a father figure, by the riverbank.
Although I was small it was man to man
Despite being small, there is a sense of equality and respect between the speaker and the other person.
The river was wild and he looked down at me
The river is described as wild, emphasizing its unpredictable nature. The person looks down at the speaker, possibly a mentorship dynamic.
And he smiled
The person smiles, suggesting a positive and reassuring moment.
It's a little bit sweet and a little bit sad
Contrasts mixed emotions, portraying a blend of sweetness and sadness.
First you're the kid and then you're Dad
Describes the life journey from being a child to becoming a father.
Who took from your boyhood
Reflects on the transition from childhood, implying a loss of innocence.
What your father had
Suggests that the father figure took away aspects of the speaker's boyhood, possibly passing on responsibilities.
And he knew
The speaker acknowledges the father figure's understanding.
Like I do
Compares the speaker's understanding to that of the father figure, implying a shared insight.
This moment will pass
Expresses the transient nature of the moment, acknowledging its impermanence.
Like water over river stone
Uses a metaphor of water over river stone to emphasize the passing of time and experiences.
It's left to the past, past, past, past, past
Reiterates the idea of the moment being relegated to the past, emphasizing its irreversibility.
As we stand by the river
Describes the present scene by the river with a sense of grounding.
Our feet in the grass
Highlights the connection to nature and the passage of time through the speaker's feet in the grass.
I know
Acknowledges the inevitability of the moment being gone.
It's already gone
Confirms the passage of the moment into the past.
I look at his watch, the river moves on
Shifts the focus to a watch, symbolizing the passage of time, and the river continuing its flow.
It's there on my arm from father to son
Refers to a watch on the speaker's arm, passing from father to son, symbolizing a generational connection.
Like it will be yours when my time is done
Anticipates the passing of the watch to the next generation when the speaker's time is done.
And you'll know
Directs attention to the future recipient of the watch, suggesting a continuation of the legacy.
From crawling to walking
Chronicles the developmental stages from crawling to walking, symbolizing the progression of life.
To speaking from talking
Describes the evolution from speaking to talking, capturing the growth and communication changes.
From holding his hand
Reflects on the physical transition from holding the father's hand to the father holding the speaker's hand.
To him holding mine
Completes the narrative with the reciprocal image of the father holding the speaker's hand, signifying the full circle of life.
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