Father & Son – English Lyrics

• By: Yusuf, Cat Stevens
• Album: Tea For The Tillerman 2

Lyrics & Translation

Delve into the heartfelt dialogue of "Father & Son" by Yusuf/Cat Stevens, a timeless exploration of family dynamics and personal growth. Through contrasting perspectives and gentle melodies, this song offers a poignant lesson in empathy and understanding across generations, making it an ideal piece for English language learners to explore complex emotions and lyrical storytelling.

[English]

It's not time to make a change

Just relax, take it easy

You're still young, that's your fault

There's so much you have to know

Find a girl, settle down

If you want you can marry

Look at me, I am old, but I'm happy

I was once like you are now

And I know that it's not easy

To be calm when you've found

Something going on

But take your time, think a lot

Think of everything you've got

For you will still be here tomorrow

But your dreams may not

How can I try to explain?

When I do he turns away again

It's always been the same, same old story

From the moment I could talk

I was ordered to listen

Now there's a way

And I know that I have to go away

I know I have to go

It's not time to make a change

Just relax, take it slowly

You're still young, that's your fault

There's so much you have to go through

Find a girl, settle down

If you want you can marry

Look at me, I am old, but I'm happy

All the times that I've cried

Keeping all the things I knew inside

It's hard, but it's harder to ignore it

If they were right I'd agree

But it's them they know, not me

Now there's a way

And I know that I have to go away

I know I have to go

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
time /taɪm/ A1	noun - the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole
change /tʃeɪndʒ/ A2	noun - the act or instance of making or becoming different verb - to make or become different
relax /rɪˈlæks/ A2	verb - to make or become less tense or anxious
young /jʌŋ/ A1	adjective - having lived or existed for only a short time
fault /fɔːlt/ B1	noun - an imperfection or defect
know /noʊ/ A1	verb - to be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information
find /faɪnd/ A1	verb - to discover or perceive
girl /ɡɜːrl/ A1	noun - a female child or young woman
settle /ˈsetl/ B1	verb - to adopt a more steady or secure style of life, especially in a permanent job or home
marry /ˈmæri/ A2	verb - to become the husband or wife of someone
look /lʊk/ A1	verb - to direct one's gaze toward someone or something or in a specified direction
old /oʊld/ A1	adjective - having lived for a long time; no longer young
happy /ˈhæpi/ A1	adjective - feeling or showing pleasure or contentment
dreams /driːmz/ B1	noun - a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep
explain /ɪkˈspleɪn/ B1	verb - make (an idea, situation, or problem) clear to someone by describing it in more detail or revealing relevant facts or ideas
talk /tɔːk/ A1	verb - to speak in order to give information or express ideas or feelings; converse or communicate by spoken words
listen /ˈlɪsn/ A1	verb - to give one's attention to a sound
hard /hɑːrd/ A2	adjective - solid, firm, and resistant to pressure; not easily broken or damaged adjective - requiring great physical or mental effort
ignore /ɪɡˈnɔːr/ B2	verb - refuse to take notice of or acknowledge; disregard intentionally