I know that generally speaking, Song of the Day isn’t a category that I post in, but I hope you’ll all indulge me this once.

A lot of people these days might recognize Conway Twitty from various cutaway gags in the TV show Family Guy, but for me, it goes back to my childhood.  Watching Hee-Haw with my dad, riding in the car with my dad, waking up in the morning to dad playing Conway and other old country western music stars while he exercised before work.  While my musical tastes would always skew more towards rock and alternative, I will always link music like Conway’s to my dad.

This past Friday, I lost my dad, Donald Boucher, after several long years fighting cancer.  Like any father and son, we had our disagreements, but we always knew that we loved each other.  I moved halfway across the country away from my parents, so I’d make sure that every Sunday I’d call him, even if I had spoken to him on Saturday, so today especially felt extra hollow since I knew he wouldn’t be there to pick up the phone anymore.

This song especially gives words to my feelings better than I feel I’m capable, so I’ll let Conway take it from here.  I know that wherever dad is now, he’ll get to be listening to Conway, Hank Williams Sr, Jim Reeves, and all the others that he loved listening to while I was growing up.  I’ll miss you dad.

That’s My Job

I woke up cryin’ late at night – when I was very young
I had dreamed my father – had passed away and gone
My world revolved around him – I couldn’t lie there anymore
So I made my way down the mirrored hall and tapped upon his door.

And I said, “Daddy, I’m so afraid!
How would I go on, with you gone that way?
Don’t wanna cry anymore
So may I stay with you?”

And he said,
“That’s my job, that’s what I do
Everything I do is because of you
To keep you safe with me …
That’s my job, you see.”

Later we barely got along – this teenage boy and he
Most of the fights it seems – were over different dreams
We each held for me …
He wanted knowledge and learning – I wanted to fly out west
“Said I could make it out there – if I just had the fare
I got half, will you loan me the rest?”

And I said, “Daddy, I’m so afraid
There’s no guarantee in the plans I’ve made
And if I should fail, who will pay my way back home?”

And he said,
“That’s my job, that’s what I do
Ev’rything I do is because of you
To keep you safe with me …
That’s my job, you see.”

Every person carves his spot – and fills the hole with life
And I pray someday I might – light as bright as he.

Woke up early one bright fall day – read the tragic news
After all my travels, I settled down – within a mile or two
I make my livin’ with words and rhymes – and all the tragedies
Should go into my head and out instead – as bits of poetry.

But I say, “Daddy I’m so afraid
How will I go on – with you gone this way
How can I come up – with a song to say, “I love you.”

“That’s my job, that’s what I do
Ev’rything I do is because of you
To keep you safe with me …
That’s my job, you see.”

“Ev’rything I do is because of you
To keep you safe with me …
That’s my job, you see.”