This is an old song with a new melody.
I wrote this back in the summer of 2004. It’s about a dad watching his daughter grow up. My oldest brother just had his first child — a girl — and that was a big change, the first grandkid in the family. So I was thinking about being a father and what that might be like.
It’s got a definite “Cat’s in the Cradle” vibe to it. Sentimental, to be sure — some might find it a bit sappy.
Here’s why I had to write a new melody.
I got the urge to record this song a few days ago. So I rummaged around for my old songwriting notebook, and found the lyrics for “Flash” dated 8/23/04. I started playing when I noticed that my verse melody sounds an awful lot like the one in Leonard Cohen’s “Halleluja.” Although I know how to play and sing “Halleluja” now — a song I love — I didn’t know how when I wrote “In a Flash.” (Though it’s likely I had heard it somewhere — probably at the end of Shrek.)
So I needed a new melody. I made up the one above in about ten minutes. It’s a little more dynamic. I like it.
This is a rough recording, but I wanted to grab it while it’s fresh. I may post a more polished one later.
Lyrics are below.
A Father’s Lulluby
Hush my little baby, won't you fall asleep?
Your Daddy's got a plane to catch and promises to keep.
Don't cry my little darling, let me dry your tears.
I'm gonna build a dream for you to last you all your years.
And when the moon is rising and the stars fill up the night;
If you get to feeling lonesome, pick out one that's burning bright;
And as you dream upon it, I'll be dreaming there with you.
Don't it seem to go,
Don't it seem to go,
Oh don't it seem to go by in a flash.
Be still my little lady, can't you sit my girl?
I wanna show the stars to you and teach you why they whirl.
But you'd rather be off running, or playing with your dolls.
Well that's okay with me, as long as I get to watch it all.
And when the moon is rising and the stars fill up the night;
If you get to feeling lonesome, pick out one that's burning bright;
And as you dream upon it, I'll be dreaming there with you.
Don't it seem to go,
Don't it seem to go,
Oh don't it seem to go by in a flash.
Don't cry my young lady, don't you waste your tears.
So the boys were mean at school and now your prom night is here.
Well I'm not so good at saying, and you may not believe it's true.
But there's not a man alive who can measure up to you.
And when the moon is rising and the stars fill up the night;
If you get to feeling lonesome, pick out one that's burning bright;
And as you dream upon it, I'll be dreaming there with you.
Don't it seem to go,
Don't it seem to go,
Oh don't it seem to go by in a flash.
Wake up my grown up baby, it's time my special one.
Though I'd rather keep my daughter, than gain some stranger's son.
But I promised you dry eyes, I promised I'd be strong.
So I'll walk you down the aisle, and try not to drag it out too long.
And when the moon is rising and the stars fill up the night;
If you get to feeling lonesome, pick out one that's burning bright;
And as you dream upon it, I'll be dreaming there with you.
Don't it seem to go,
Don't it seem to go,
Oh don't it seem to go by in a flash.
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