This song is a reflection on the relationship between fathers and sons. It came about as a result of two events: helping my father recover from knee replacement surgery and seeing a father in a market berate his young son in such a way that the entire world would know how little he thought of him. I'm not sure what the kid did, but he didn't deserve being embarassed like that. A word of kindness would have been welcome there. Some people have told me they see "The Prodigal Son" in this - rather, "The Prodigal Father" - and though that was not the intent, it is well to reflect that One who is not ashamed of our company walks with us on our journey through the maze our lives often become.
A coffehouse recording of this song is available for purchase and download HERE.
I AM NOT ASHAMED OF YOU Chuck Hall
That old fishing hole was closed long ago
There's a condo development near
Sometimes I drive by because it feels good to cry
When I track the trail of my memories here
When we lost the big game on that Thanksgiving Day
And I fumbled on my turn to run
We sat in the boat in the fog and wood smoke
And in the quiet of the morning he said, Son
I am not ashamed of you, not ashamed to be your Dad
Not ashamed to tell you you're the best friend I have ever had
This fishing hole will dry up and disappear from view
But I will never be ashamed of you
There's a distance that comes between fathers and sons
As passion and pride hold their sway
In anger alone, love sets sail and leaves home
On the winds of words you never meant to say
Then one day you're at his side and he tell you it's his time
He's heard a calling that he must obey
There's a heaven in his view, and he's reaching out to you
And all that stands between you blows away I am not ashamed of you, not ashamed to be your son
Not ashamed to tell you how I've prayed this hour would not come
Our bodies return to dust and disappear from view
But I will never be ashamed of you
This all comes back to mind when you cast away your lines
In the quiet and the mist of early morn
For the sea, at last at rest, is what describes you best
Like the ripples gently rolling to the shore
And there's someone else on board who has a hard time with these oars
It's such hard work for little hands to do
But you see your daddy's pride in the gleaming of his eyes
When he's trying very hard to be like you I am not ashamed of you, not ashamed to be your Dad
Not ashamed to tell you you're the best friend I have ever had
This fishing hole will dry up and disappear from view
But I will never be ashamed of you
(c) 2006 by Chuck Hall, Hallfolk Music, ASCAP. All Rights Reserved.
