Following In Father's Footsteps

I used to come home very very late

Boots by the hob and gob on the grate

Father waiting with his pipe in his hand

He blew me upstairs with his reprimand

One fine day I was out all night

There he was gone, it gave me a fright

I went out looking in my little boat

So full of hope it could hardly float

Following in fathers footsteps

Down the line, down the line

I came to an island, the shape of a cross

It had to be my mother's, she met me with a kiss

She said, You're looking thin (I was feeling fat)

And no girl's gonna look at you with shoes like that

Wishes are sharks if troubles are a sea

She arms herself with another pot of tea

A long long time she's been marooned

Dishing up her love with serving spoons

Following in father's footsteps

Down the line, all down the line

I found him in the end, years down the roads,

Rowing home without any load

Why has your hair gone so white I? I cried

And have you brought us gifts from the world so wide?

A finger to his lips, he took me aside

He looked like a man with something to hide, he said

All I ever got from following my wish

Was a wet arse and not a lot of fish

Somewhere in his mind he's waiting up for me

Like a fisherman whose sons have run away to sea

Sometimes the lines get slack, so it's

High time I covered up my tracks

Following in father's footsteps

Down the line, all down the line