That's My Job

I woke up cryin' late at night, when I was very young

I had dreamed my father, had passed away and gone

My world revolved around him, I couldn't lie there anymore

So I made my way down, the mirrored hall, and tapped upon his door

And I said, "Daddy, I'm so afraid!

How will I go on, with you gone that way?

Don't wanna cry anymore, so may I stay with you?"

And he said, "That's my job, that's what I do

Everything I do is because of you

To keep you safe with me

That's my job, you see"

Later we barely got along, this teenage boy and he

Most of the fights it seems were over different dreams

We each held for me

He wanted knowledge and learning, I wanted to fly out west

I said, "I could make it out there, if I just had the fare

I got half, will you loan me the rest?"

And I said, "Daddy, I'm so afraid

There's no guarantee in the plans I've made

And if I should fail, who will pay my way back home?"

And he said, "That's my job, that's what I do

Everything I do is because of you

To keep you safe with me

That's my job, you see"

Every person carves his spot, and fills the hole with life

And I pray someday I might, light as bright as he

Woke up early one bright fall day, read the tragic news

After all my travels, I settled down, within a mile or two

I make my livin' with words and rhymes, and all this tragedy

Should go into my head and out instead, as bits of poetry

But I say, "Daddy, I'm so afraid

How will I go on, with you gone this way

How can I come up, with a song to say, "I love you"

"That's my job, that's what I do

Everything I do is because of you

To keep you safe with me

That's my job, you see"

"Everything I do is because of you

To keep you safe with me"