MY FATHER'S BIRTHDAY

One night while talking to my producer's wife, Geri Karlstrom, she brought up the idea of us some time composing a duet. I was thrilled with the idea, as Geri is a great and talented singer/songwriter. I started telling her how I had been working on a song about my father's birthday. He had passed away in 1993. Sadly, Geri's own father had passed away at the end of 2006. When I told her my father's birthday had been February 22nd, she stopped and stared at me and said her dad's birthday was also February 22nd. Needless to say we decided right then and there that “My Father's Birthday” would be the song we would do together. This song is special, and touches me deeply. Thanks, Ger.

I still smell those pancakes Sunday morning
Hear him get up first and start the fire
I still feel his big hands on my shoulder
He was everything that I admire
We moved out to a farm on the lake
He moved us there in 1963
He taught me how to love those thirty acres
Taught me all the best things are free

Chorus

Tomorrow would’ve been my Father’s birthday
But I lost him in July of ‘93
And I still hear him whisper let’s go fishin’
Sometimes I swear he’s still here with me

Daddy was a preacher Sunday mornings
Saving souls with tears in his eyes
He taught me ‘bout compassion for my neighbors
He was everything that I admired
He built us a house out in the country
Workin’ many jobs to just get by
Canning pickles summertime at midnight
He loved to see his oldest daughter smile

Chorus

Tomorrow would’ve been my Father’s birthday
In late 2006 we said goodbye
And I still hear his laughter and his joking
Sometimes I swear he is still alive

There’s days when I feel lost and unrewarded
Some days when there’s no place left to hide
And the days when I have no one left to turn to
Are the days I let his memory be my guide

Chorus

Tomorrow would’ve been my Father’s birthday
But no one ever said that life is fair
You can never say too many times I love you
And nothing’s worth more than the time you share

Tomorrow would’ve been my Father’s birthday

Words by Harley Carmen / Geri Karlstrom. Music by Harley Carmen.
Copyright © 2007 Harley Carmen / Geri Karlstrom (SOCAN).