Johnny Clegg

Father

Johnny Clegg


Buttons from a uniform
A cartridge from the war
Letters to my mother
Hidden in a drawer

All around me empty space
Never filled by a father's face
In my mind he's strong and warm
I like the picture I have drawn

He's a shadow man
He's my father
He's the hidden link in my chain
He's a shadow man
He's my father
He's the one who lives inside my name
I'm the only link in the chain

Fragments of memories
From other people's lives
Gather and collect them
To see my father's eyes

Eyes to see the future come
Eyes to see the past
Eyes to see his only son
From whom he was cast

He's a shadow man
He's my father
He's the one who lives inside my name
He's a shadow man
He's my father
I'm the only link in the chain

What you gonna be when you grow up?
How you gonna fill that empty cup?
Be strong and hold your head up high
Teach yourself how to fly

He's a shadow man
He's my father
He's a shadow man