Fathers and Daughters

Story Behind The Song

My father was an artist, but an enigma in that, while ultra-sensitive to scenes, studies, people posing for portraits, he was unable to see those closest to him in a real sense - especially my mother and me, his only daughter. He was of a type and generation that put women - quite unfairly - on pedestals, which tried to keep them in a mold that never fit.

Song Description

The misconceptions that occur between fathers and daughters - despite their devotion to each other.

Song Length 5:07 Genre Folk - Contemporary, Unique - Unclassified
Tempo Slow (71 - 90) Lead Vocal Female Vocal
Mood Poignant Subject Father, Daughter
Language English Era 2000 and later

Lyrics

Fathers & Daughters
© 2006 by J. E. Ambrose
There's a picture hidden far away in a dark and empty room:
a figure walking down the beach heading out towards the dunes.

He said that he had me in mind as the colour filled her hair.
As gestures go, it was love, I know, but I cannot find me there.

(chorus)
Mix me in paint, brush me on paper,
Frame me in lies for your own heart to see.
I was your vision, your vestal beauty,
your shining duty, your 'anything but me'.

There's a picture in a silver frame: a man with a dreamer's eyes.
He gave me so much more than a name and a mystery besides.

He set his world in black and white, though he held rainbows in his hands.
And my own shades were blues and grays he could never understand.

(chorus)
Mix me in paint, brush me on paper,
Frame me in lies for your pure heart to see.
I was your last kiss, your one and only,
your Sleeping Beauty, your 'anything but me'.

(bridge)
Was it always truth or dare? Faces change beyond compare.
Portraits are never fair for fathers and daughters.
How desire changes lines; eyes can't see when hearts are blind.
Love never runs on time for fathers and daughters.

There are pictures all around me now - memories walking home:
changes he could not conceive and a world that left him cold.
Yet still I feel his hand in mine as I walk this chosen road.
The strength I thought was his I find is mine and mine alone.

(chorus)
Mix me in paint, Brush me on paper,
Frame me in lies For your sweet heart to see.
You were my first word and my last teardrop.
My gentle jailer: you were everything to me.

Mix me in paint And brush me away
Fix me and frame me Mix me in paint

Every now and then you hear a song that is a poem that is a song that is a poem that really touches your heart. This is one of those songs. It's cerebral, intelligent "touch the heart" poetry with a fine use of metaphor throughout. Just enough word pictures that the mind can hold onto, the beach, the rainbow, the hair, the paintbrush. It's all just very cool and cohesive, truly a work of art. The piano accompaniment is flawless and ever-so-appropriate for this simple, yet pure recording. It's probably the most original song I have ever heard performed about fathers and daughters. As I sit here in my late father's office, listening to your song, the memories flood my mind. Thank you for writing this song!

Lyrics Jamie Ambrose Music Jamie Ambrose
Producer Jamie Ambrose Publisher Jamie Ambrose/Ambrose Unlimited
Performance Jamie Ambrose Label Jamie Ambrose/Ambrose Unlimited
This track is on 3 Member Playlists
Playlist Creator Playlist Name Date Added
Ian Ritchie Cool Stuff 9/18/2018
Ian Ritchie Piano Pieces 9/18/2018
Ian Ritchie Beautiful Music 9/18/2018

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