About The Song
In the realm of country music, few names resonate with the enduring power of Conway Twitty. His rich baritone voice, heartfelt lyrics, and captivating stage presence earned him the title of “Honky Tonk Angel,” a moniker that perfectly encapsulates his ability to blend soulful tenderness with a touch of rebellious twang. Among Twitty’s extensive discography, the song “That’s My Job” stands as a poignant masterpiece, a testament to the enduring power of love and the profound impact a father can have on his son’s life.
Released in 1987, “That’s My Job” is a ballad that delves into the complex emotions of a son grappling with the loss of his beloved father. The song’s opening lines paint a vivid picture of a young man seeking guidance from his father, yearning for the wisdom and reassurance that only a parent can provide:
“I wanted to fly out there, said I could make it out there If I just had the fare I got, head will you loan me the rest?”
The son’s plea highlights the deep-rooted trust and admiration he holds for his father, a man who represents both a source of strength and a beacon of hope. However, the father’s response carries a hint of uncertainty, foreshadowing the impending loss that will shatter the son’s world:
“And I said, Daddy, I’m so afraid, there’s no guarantee in the plans Who will pay my way back home?”
The song’s chorus serves as a powerful declaration of love and devotion, a son’s heartfelt pledge to honor his father’s memory by carrying on his legacy:
“That’s my job, that’s what I do Everything I do is because of you To keep you safe with me, that’s my job you see Every person carves his spot and fills the hole with light And I pray someday I might light as bright”
The lyrics poignantly capture the universal grief experienced by those who have lost a loved one, the overwhelming sense of emptiness and the desperate longing for one more moment with the departed. Yet, amidst the sorrow, there emerges a glimmer of hope, a determination to find meaning and purpose in life, even in the face of unimaginable loss.
“That’s My Job” is a timeless ballad that transcends the boundaries of genre and generation, speaking to the hearts of all who have experienced the profound impact of love and loss. Conway Twitty’s masterful delivery imbues the lyrics with a raw emotion that resonates deeply, leaving an indelible mark on the listener’s soul. The song serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of love, the unbreakable bond between father and son, and the legacy that lives on long after a loved one has passed.
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Lyric
I woke up crying late at nightWhen I was very youngI had dreamed my fatherHad passed away and goneMy world revolved around himI couldn’t lie there anymoreSo I made my way down the mirrored hallAnd tapped upon his doorAnd I said “Daddy, I’m so afraidHow will I go on with you gone that way?Don’t want to cry anymore, so may I stay with you?”And he said “That’s my jobThat’s what I doEverything I do is because of youTo keep you safe with meThat’s my job you see”Later we barely got alongThis teenage boy and heMost of the fights it seemsWere over different dreamsWe each held for meHe wanted knowledge and learningI wanted to fly out westSaid, “I could make it out thereIf I just had the fareI got half, will you loan me the rest?”And I said “Daddy, I’m so afraidThere’s no guarantee in the plansI’ve made and if I should failWho will pay my way back home?”And he said “That’s my jobThat’s what I doEverything I do is because of youTo keep you safe with meThat’s my job you see”Every person carves his spotAnd fills the hole with lightAnd I pray someday I mightLight as bright as heWoke up early one bright fall dayTo spread the tragic newsAfter all my travel, I settled downWithin a mile or twoI make my living with words and rhymeAnd all this tragedyShould go into my head and out insteadAs bits of poetryBut I say “Daddy, I’m so afraidHow will I go on with you gone this way?How can I come up with a song to say I love you?”That’s my job, That’s what I doEverything I do is because of youTo keep you safe with meThat’s my job you seeEverything I do is because of youTo keep you safe with me