A Song for William

In Early 2000 I attended a family reunion for my Father's side of the family, many cousins I had never met were going and I was excited to go. My father and I had not had the best relationship but as I grew with my own small family and discovered just how hard it can be to raise children, my feelings had softened. When I sat down to write the song, I simply let my heart take over and what poured out.

A Song for William - Douglas W. Fielder

When I was just a young boy, I used to run away.
I didn't understand it then, I think I do today.
I had a case of Wanderlust, that passed from you to me.
A passion to be satisfied, a yearning to be free.

To think of all I put you through when I was my son's age.
A young boy full of hopes and dreams, a young man full of rage.
For all of life's injustices, man's inhumanity.
Emotions I still carry now, locked up inside of me.

I just wanted to tell you, cause I think you may not know
In looking back I realize you always loved me so.
It wasn't easy I'll admit, I wasn't very good.
I hope that our experience will help me now, it should.

I hope that I can pass along the traits you bred in me.
The courage just to be yourself and act accordingly.
I've started growing up a bit and though it may seem late
I understand that giving love means giving up on hate.

I just wanted to tell you, cause I'm not sure if I did .
Inside I'll always love you like when I was a kid.
It isn't easy to admit, but I mean it man to man.
If not for you I wouldn't be the person that I am.

There's so much more to talk about, I hope we get the time.
The questions that I never had are present in this rhyme.
I often wish I could return and change the way things were.
I'd like the memories I have to be much less unsure.

I just wanted to tell you, I wish I could be there.
To celebrate this time with you, to tell you that I care.
As you are turning seventy, your grandson turns thirteen.
I felt I should be here for him, well you know what I mean.

I think we're all young boys inside, who long for something more.
Life's not always easy and our plans aren't always sure.
But you and I know one thing now that neither will forget.
hen everything is said and done, there's nothing we'll regret.

I'll leave you with this final thought, that just occurred to me.
Every generation struggles with it now I see.
As fathers we all try so hard, we only want what's best.
But kid's they have their own ideas, that need to be expressed.

I'll raise a toast to you tonight, from far across the land
If you should feel a burning in your ears, you'll understand.
Sometimes life's decisions are just out of our control.
But I promise that I'll be there in my heart and in my soul.