Father’s Day graphic by Amboy Guardian.

With Father’s Day just around the corner, we decided to take lyrics from some songs in which fathers give advice to their children of all ages.

The first song is “Pappa Don’t Preach” sung by Madonna. In the music video, her father warns her about getting involved with a certain young man. She did not heed her father’s advice, got involved with that young man and became pregnant. She finally told her father about her situation, but was determined to keep the child. She emphasized that she and the young man were in love. It took a while, but at the end of the video, the father embraced his daughter. 

The father realized he couldn’t change his daughter’s mind,  and admire her determination to keep the baby, which in turn will be his grandchild.

The next song is “Walk Like a Man” sung by the Four Seasons. A young man is in a toxic relationship in which he girl he’s involved with is telling lies about him. He states: “My own father says, give her up. Don’t bother. The world isn’t coming to an end. Walk like man. Talk like a man, my son. No woman is worth crawling on the earth. So walk like a man, my son.” In turn, the son realizes that his father is right and tells the woman, “Bye, bye baby. I don’t mean maybe. Gonna get along somehow. Soon you’ll be cryin’ on account of all your lyin’. Oh, yeah, just look who’s laughin’ now.”

The point of the song is that the father sees the hurt in his son’s soul. The son in point knows how much the father cares about his welfare and takes his dad’s advice.

The next song is “Cats in the Cradle” sung by the late Harry Chapin. Just a reminder, the most precious gift you can give your child is to spend a little time with them. This may be more meaningful to them than any material things.

The next song is “Oh, Very Young” sung by Cat Stevens which is good advice for any child. You’re only on this earth for a short time, and you will be remembered by how you carry yourself.

The next song is “Dance With My Father Again” sung by the late Luther Vandross. In the song, he remembered when he was young and how his father lifted him up in the air while dancing. Also, how he loved watching his parents dance together. When he had a disagreement with his mother, he would run to his father for comfort. His father would make him laugh, and say “Now, do what your mother wanted you to do.” The father passes and his mother would cry, thinking about the good times with her husband. He would pray for his father to come back to him and his mom, even though he knows it’s not possible.

This is my Father’s Day message to you: I love music that speaks to my soul. If you have a favorite song that brings back loving memories of your father, or someone who has been like a father to you – play that song for them.

I was one of those fortunate people who had a loving father, and most importantly he showed respect and love to our mother. C.M.

I’m fortunate at age 51 to have both my parents and to have a father who is such a respected member of the community.  With a passion for education, I can truly say his dharma is teaching. Many former students speak fondly of my father, whether it be from PAHS, Middlesex County College, or other places where he’s taught. 

As a biology teacher, he has a special fondness and expertise for herpetology and entomology. He likes all animals and plants and how they intertwine in the environment.

When asked why he likes snakes so much, he answered, “Snakes are the underdog. Snakes eat mice, rats, etc. They are a vital part of the food chain. Because of snakes, we do not have plagues. Some snakes are poisonous, so many people are afraid of them and hate them. Somebody has to like them.”

Whether it be as a teacher, firefighter, coach, father etc., he’s always there for us and always has my back. Happy Father’s Day! K.M.