The Living Years was co-written by Rutherford and B.A. Robertson. The song combined features of each writer's relationship with their father; it dealt with Rutherford's strained relationship with his late father and the birth of Robertson's son three months after his father's death. Paul Carrack rendition was so surreal and came straight from the heart. I can relate to this song, like him my father also passed away suddenly one morning when I was 10:((
Coming from Asian culture, we were more reserve. If we can't do it with words, let do it by deeds. Call up your parent, children, sibling, friends whom you had hurt or hurt you, it is time to re-built the bridges , don't let the bitterness lasts. Don't wait until "I just wish I could have told him in the living years" Juz do it mann!
Hope the new "living" year will open your heart and touches your soul. Have a bless Christmas and Peaceful New Year.
The Living Years (LIVE )Every generation
Blames the one before
And all of their frustrations
Come beating on your door
I know that I’m a prisoner
To all my father held so dear
I know that I’m a hostage
To all his hopes and fears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years
Crumpled bits of paper
Filled with imperfect thought
Stilted conversations
I’m afraid that’s all we’ve got
You say you just don’t see it
He says it’s perfect sense
You just can’t get agreement
In this present tense
We all talk a different language
Talking in defence
Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It’s too late when we die
To admit we don’t see eye to eye
So we open up a quarrel
Between the present and the past
We only sacrifice the future
It’s the bitterness that lasts
So don’t yield to the fortunes
You sometimes see as fate
It may have a new perspective
On a different day
And if you don’t give up, and don’t give in
You may just be o.k.
Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It’s too late when we die
To admit we don’t see eye to eye
I wasn’t there that morning
When my father passed away
I didn’t get to tell him
All the things I had to say
I think I caught his spirit
Later that same year
I’m sure I heard his echo
In my baby’s new born tears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years
Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It’s too late when we die
To admit we don’t see eye to eye
