Mich Sampson: Listen

Father's Honour

(Mich Sampson)

On a lonely day in winter, my son led me to the sea
And I watched him playing in the waves
Cold comfort to me
Every day he asks of his father, the captain bold and true,
And I blink the salt spray from my eyes as the mem'ry chills me through

For the honour of his father and the breaking of my heart
For a love that went unspoken, I was forced to do my part,
No, he does not know of his son, so he's safe from scandal's touch
He’ll never know why I left…
I loved him too much.

There were rules we could not transgress; it was safer not to feel
So we never mentioned our love, just in case that made it real.
But one night the storm broke upon us, harshly flung the ship above the waves,
As the crew prayed for salvation, my saviour kissed my fear away.

And the low sun brings tears to my eyes so I think I see him there
Playing with our son upon the shore as if neither had a care
And I gasp, as soon I realise that what I see is not a dream
And the man that walks towards me now speaks soft and close to me…

And he said,

“For the honour of his father?” Did you think my heart so cold?
When you left, I thought you angry, and that loss has turned me old
I’ve searched the ocean for you, for we’re safe from scandal's touch
I left the fleet for you, dear, for I loved you far too much

I left the fleet for you, dear…
I loved you too much.

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© April 2002, revised 2005