A Father and a Son

When I was your age I was just like you,

And just look at me now; I'm sure you do.

But your grandfather was just as bad

And you should have heard him trash his dad.

Life's no picnic, that's a given:

My mom's mom died when my mom was seven;

My mom's father was a tragic guy,

But he was so distant and nobody knows why.

Now, your mother's family, you know them:

Each and every one a gem,

Each and every one a gem.

When I was your age I was a mess;

On a bad day I still am, I guess.

I think I know what you're going through;

Everything changes but nothing is new.

And I know that I'm miserable; can't you see?

I just want you to be just like me.

Boys grow up to be grown men

And then men change back into boys again.

You're starting up and I'm winding down;

Ain't it big enough for us both in this town?

Say it's big enough for us both in this town.

When I was your age I thought I hated my dad

And that the feeling was a mutual one that we had;

We fought each other day and night:

I was always wrong; he was always right.

But he had the power and he needed to win;

His life half over, mine about to begin.

I'm not sure about that Oedipal stuff,

But when we were together it was always rough.

Hate is a strong word; I want to back-track;

The bigger the front, then the bigger the back;

The bigger the front, then the bigger the back.

Now you and me are me and you,

And it's a different ballgame though not brand-new.

I don't know what all of this fighting is for;

But we're having us a teenage/middle-age war.

I don't want to die and you want to live;

It takes a little bit of take and a whole lot of give.

It never really ends though each race is run,

This thing between a father and a son.

Maybe it's power and push and shove,

Maybe it's hate but probably it's love,

Maybe it's hate but probably it's love.