and, nate [the singer] is telling a story here. he is not the father character.
The song does seems to me to be written in the first person perspective of the father. Whether or not the person who wrote (and/or sings the song) is the person in question is really irrelavant isn't it? Novelists write stories from the perspective of other people all the time - it makes sense that a songwriter might do the same, no?
"left everyone a little shook up
but at the meetings
I felt so empty"
My interpretation:
From what I gather he was in a drunk driving accident for which joined AA (or some other supportive organization).
"best recital I had to ruin
missed my son's graduation"
During his vacation he began drinking again - and showed up late/drunk to his sons graduation where his lapse was exposed to his family.
"I'm just an honest man
provide for me and mine
I give a check to tax deductable
charity organizations
two weks paid vacation won't heal the damage done
I need another one"
He believes he is a good man, and does his best, and hopes that his family will forgive him. I think the last line 'I need another one' might actually refer to another drink - instead of another weeks vacation.
This is a moving song - and probably my favorite on this album.
and, nate [the singer] is telling a story here. he is not the father character.
The song does seems to me to be written in the first person perspective of the father. Whether or not the person who wrote (and/or sings the song) is the person in question is really irrelavant isn't it? Novelists write stories from the perspective of other people all the time - it makes sense that a songwriter might do the same, no?
"left everyone a little shook up but at the meetings I felt so empty"
My interpretation: From what I gather he was in a drunk driving accident for which joined AA (or some other supportive organization).
"best recital I had to ruin missed my son's graduation"
During his vacation he began drinking again - and showed up late/drunk to his sons graduation where his lapse was exposed to his family.
"I'm just an honest man provide for me and mine I give a check to tax deductable charity organizations two weks paid vacation won't heal the damage done I need another one"
He believes he is a good man, and does his best, and hopes that his family will forgive him. I think the last line 'I need another one' might actually refer to another drink - instead of another weeks vacation.
This is a moving song - and probably my favorite on this album.