Billy Bragg – Tank Park Salute

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Kiss me goodnight and say my prayers
Leave the light on at the top of the stairs
Tell me the names of the stars up in the sky
A tree taps on the window pane
That feeling smothers me again
Daddy is it true that we all have to die

At the top of the stairs
Is darkness

I closed my eyes and when I looked
Your name was in the memorial book
And what had become of all the things we planned
I accepted the commiserations
Of all your friends and your relations
But there's some things I still don't understand

You were so tall
How could you fall?

Some photographs of a summer's day
A little boy's lifetime away
Is all I've left of everything we've done
Like a pale moon in a sunny sky
Death gazes down as I pass by
To remind me that I'm but my father's son

I offer up to you
This tribute
I offer up to you
This tank park salute

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Lyrics submitted by SquidOmelet

Track duration: 03:30

"Tank Park Salute" as written by Billy Bragg

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Tank Park Salute song meanings
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13 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment:I've loved this song since I first heard it 20+ years ago. Now that I'm the father of a 7 year-old, it's even more poignant. I always imagine the now-grown Billy looking at childhood photos of he and his dad taken at a war memorial. Perhaps in one of the photos, he and dad were giving each other silly salutes, goofing off the way kids and dads do. And I'd imagine, since photos weren't nearly as common back then as now, that they are among the most cherished memories of the dad he lost too soon.
    Flag meahernon March 19, 2013   Link
  • +2
    Song Meaning:The Tank Park is the Bovington Tank Museum near Wareham in Dorset, UK, and I believe the title of the song refers to a visit Billy and his dad made there. It is a moving song, especially if you have lost your dad, and moves me to tears, But of course, Mr Bragg is near genius in touching home truths. KC
    Flag KCKCKCon October 13, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:touching song...very beautiful..i'm not ashamed to say it make me almost cry...
    Flag monkeycatton May 06, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Spose this song is about a kid having that horrible realisation of ones own mortality and then experiencing the death we have without dying which is the death of our mum or dad. I only came here to work out what Tank Park Salute meant, but if it is something personal between Billy and his dad then that just makes the song more beautiful.
    Flag runlistenon August 13, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"You were so tall
    How could you fall?"

    Brings a lump to my throat every time I listen to it.

    Billy is a true lyrical legend and is totally engaging when he speaks, I love him!
    Flag mozrozon April 08, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I once heard an interview with Billy on the BBC and he said that 'Tank Park Salute' referred to something private that he and his dad had shared. So we can speculate but I doubt we'll ever know exactly what it means.
    Flag mrparkersdogbiteon October 03, 2008   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • 0
    General Comment:this song brings me to my knees. i don't care if that sounds emo.
    Flag iwasastoneon January 24, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:No point debating what it's about. I think we've found the most beautiful song ever written.
    Flag Wallamanageon December 11, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Bragg's father died of lung cancer when he was 18. Wikipedia said it so it must be true :p
    Flag RABicleon August 30, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"Did Billy Bragg's father die in the war possibly?"

    Hehe...strewth...the bard ain't that old.
    Flag NHSMonkeyon September 18, 2006   Link

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