So this is a hard one for some people. The theme is not unusual - Seize the Day. But the somewhat aggressive up-tempo music and the song's words are a puzzle for some people.
The scene is invented, in a way. My father is alive and well. But in another way it isn't. The song is inspired by Beth Ferguson, a wonderful person and great singer-songwriter here, (member of Writers Bloc and Malaika) who died a few years ago from cancer. She was very gentle, not challenging like the old man in the song, but very determined. Both her example - she made two CDs after the diagnosis - and her advice to me were just as clear: "Why don't you do something with your music while you can?"
The song got its start in the intermission of her second and last CD release concert - a truly wonderful occasion. She was clearly weak physically, but incredibly strong spiritually, and she gave a wonderful and generous performance to all of us. I never think of this song without thinking of her.
Here's an excerpt from the CD.