A Free Song for Father’s Day

By

 

Here’s a song I wrote in 2003 as a new dad – I just came across my demo of it last night and thought I’d share it here for free.  It’s an oldie, but I hope you like it!  (I would probably write it differently now, but part of the charm of it to me is how uncrafted it is.)

It was born when I was humbled by my little boys’ capacity to forgive so easily, to love unconditionally, and countless other virtues that they taught me that I in turn had to teach them in the beautiful paradoxical journey of parenth
ood.

[audio:RaisingAFather.mp3]

You can download the MP3 here.

Raising A Father

Was it in the heart of God above
That I should finally learn to love
At the hands of a little boy

When I thought I could think of only me
It was then you came and set me free
You helped me find my joy

Like the song that gives the singer his worth
Like the land that shapes the water
Gentle and wise since the day of your birth
You have been raising a father

And where my patience ran a little thin
Was just the place you would begin
To break then make me new

I was afraid that I would let you down
When I held you in my arms I found
The strength to carry you

Like the song that gives the singer his worth
Like the land that shapes the water
Gentle and wise since the day of your birth
You have been raising a father

Time reveals a deeper mystery
As the things I learn from you, in turn you’ll learn from me
For I know I’m not only raising my own son
But I’m raising the father that one day you will become

Though I’m not all I would like to be
When I look into your eyes I see
The man I might become

© 2003 Jason Gray

Jason Gray is a recording artist with Centricity Records. His latest single, out now, is "When I Say Yes".


16 Comments

  1. Stacy Grubb

    This is amazing, Jason. I’ve tried to put motherhood into the words of a song, and I just can’t get it done. I also can’t put into words how beautiful I think this song is. I can’t wait to share it with Jason.

  2. Jaclyn

    How beautiful. I never realized until recently that children could be teachers to their parents. Thank you for another song brimming with truth, and all kinds of goodness. =)

    …and Happy Father’s Day!

  3. Cindy Sorrels

    Jason, you made Sorrels and me cry this afternoon! Thank you 🙂 Our kids are growing up, and sometimes it seems like they don’t need us any more. It’s been an amazing journey.

  4. Tony from Pandora

    This morning for Father’s Day at church, I sang ‘Family Man’ by A.P…. Next year, I think I’ll have to sing this one. Thanks, Jason,

  5. Jaclyn

    PS: I didn’t know there was a Lovely Losers Acoustic! The cover looks super pretty in iTunes.

  6. Deb

    Jason, this is a truly beautiful song thanks as always for sharing your heart with us! It was rich to see you yesterday…be gentle with yourself & know we’re still praying for you. ~ deb & tom

  7. O'Rume Ena

    this well written song… ah…, Jason I have an “album” of your demo songs which you did on guitar and this one was one of them, along with some other songs like Cohen’s Hallelujah, very nice.

  8. Kaitlyn

    I was just coming here, after catching up on all of your Rabbit Room posts that I missed, to tell you that I thought I had heard this song. Then I realized, after reading through the comments section, that it was on All The Lovely Acoustic versions that I heard it. I always thought this was a delightful song. Sorry I’m so late to the party on this.

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