This is about someone who is sad about the fact that his father - and him too - are not able to fulfill their dreams. Both seem to be trapped in a world that uses their workforce. A world they cant escape.
The "bottle" migth be the reason, why his father cant escape the "cage" of the ship (his life, with his responsibilities - but without fulfillment). When the bottle "is broken" the ship he worked on for so long disembraks without him. His labour for nothing. At least not for something in the long turn. Thats why Billy cries for his father. He sees, that there is no escape for them (or at least for his father). They will always build stuff (futures) for other people. But they will fail themselves.
When the father dies, it is an early end for him. The reaction of the world showes, that they care (a "cheque and a watch" is more than nothing). But of course that is not, what the father and Billy dreamed of.
But they dont know, what they re dreaming of. A better life of some sort, sure. But Billy is only looking forward to this "island of souls" where he will meet his father again. I think, its Billys idea of heaven. Billy will work his life down like his father did. Because he does not know any better. And cant imagine.
Its sad.
But I can understand now.
Go and figure out your dreams. Go and try to make them true. Or be Billy.
This is about someone who is sad about the fact that his father - and him too - are not able to fulfill their dreams. Both seem to be trapped in a world that uses their workforce. A world they cant escape. The "bottle" migth be the reason, why his father cant escape the "cage" of the ship (his life, with his responsibilities - but without fulfillment). When the bottle "is broken" the ship he worked on for so long disembraks without him. His labour for nothing. At least not for something in the long turn. Thats why Billy cries for his father. He sees, that there is no escape for them (or at least for his father). They will always build stuff (futures) for other people. But they will fail themselves. When the father dies, it is an early end for him. The reaction of the world showes, that they care (a "cheque and a watch" is more than nothing). But of course that is not, what the father and Billy dreamed of. But they dont know, what they re dreaming of. A better life of some sort, sure. But Billy is only looking forward to this "island of souls" where he will meet his father again. I think, its Billys idea of heaven. Billy will work his life down like his father did. Because he does not know any better. And cant imagine. Its sad. But I can understand now.
Go and figure out your dreams. Go and try to make them true. Or be Billy.