Our Father Who Art in Prison

Richard

Poem Image
Our Father Who Art in Prison - Track 1

I was just a young man back then, full of hope and dreams 
Thought I could give my little girl the world, or so it seemed
I warned her 'bout that no-good husband, told her he was bad news
But she wouldn't hear it, said he was the one, her heart he'd never lose

But life had other plans in store, that man brought naught but strife
He hurt my daughter, broke her heart, almost took her life
So I had to step in, to protect my precious child
Didn't mean for it to go so far, but in that moment, I ran wild

I'm a father, I'm in prison, 
For protecting my little girl
She married the wrong man, I warned her from the start
He brought her nothing but pain, he made her world fall apart

Our Father who art in prison
I'd do it all again, in a heartbeat
To save my precious angel, my whole world
I'd trade my freedom, for the safety of my little girl

I remember when she was just a toddler, so carefree and sweet
Pushing her dolls in a pram, by the old canal, 
I swore I'd keep her safe, from the darkness of this world
But that monster she married, made my daughter's life unreal

She visits me every week, tears streaming down her face
Saying I shouldn't have done it, that I should have walked away
But a father's love is boundless, there's no price that I won't pay
To protect my little angel, 'til my dying day

We've been spending most our lives,
With our father locked away inside
We've been spending most our lives, 
In our father's prison paradise
We keep spending most our days, 
Visiting him behind those gates
We keep spending most our days,
In our father's prison paradise
We'll be spending all our lives,
'Til the day he's free again 
We'll be spending all our lives,
In our father's prison paradise

Behind these bars, I see her smile fade
Walls closing in, memories replay
Courtroom silence turned my world upside down
Judge's gavel slammed my dreams into the ground

I hear the yard call, echoes of the street
Brothers in a hard place, life's on repeat
From the cell block, I dream of better days
Where my angel smiles, and these nightmares fade

Jumble Game Cloze Game

Share this the original composition:

Richard's Our Father Who Art in Prison

"Our Father Who Art in Prison" presents a poignant narrative of paternal love pushed to its limits, exploring the complex interplay between protection, consequence, and sacrifice. The song's title, a clever twist on the Lord's Prayer, immediately sets a tone of moral ambiguity, suggesting a father figure who, despite his incarceration, maintains a position of reverence in his family's eyes.

The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man who, driven by an overwhelming desire to protect his daughter, crosses a line that leads to his imprisonment. The opening verses establish the narrator's initial hopes and dreams for his child, contrasting sharply with the harsh reality that unfolds. This juxtaposition serves to heighten the emotional impact of the father's eventual actions.

Throughout the song, the recurring chorus "Our Father who art in prison" acts as a powerful refrain, emphasizing the central theme of paternal sacrifice. The line "I'd do it all again, in a heartbeat" underscores the unwavering nature of the father's love and his lack of regret, despite the severe consequences of his actions. This sentiment challenges listeners to consider the lengths to which they might go to protect their loved ones.

The narrative arc of the song is particularly compelling, moving from the father's initial warnings about his daughter's choice of partner to the eventual violent confrontation that leads to his incarceration. This progression highlights the escalation of events and the father's perceived helplessness in the face of his daughter's suffering, culminating in a desperate act of protection.

Interwoven with the present-day narrative are poignant flashbacks to the daughter's childhood, serving to deepen the emotional resonance of the father's actions. These memories, such as the image of the toddler pushing her dolls in a pram, contrast sharply with the harsh reality of the present, amplifying the sense of loss and sacrifice.

The song also touches on the ripple effects of the father's actions on his family. The daughter's weekly visits, marked by tears and conflicted emotions, illustrate the ongoing impact of his decision on those he sought to protect. This adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, suggesting that even well-intentioned actions can have far-reaching and sometimes painful consequences.

The bridge section, with its repetitive structure reminiscent of Coolio's "Gangsta's Paradise," adds a haunting quality to the song. The repeated phrases "We've been spending most our lives" and "In our father's prison paradise" create a sense of time stretching endlessly, mirroring the experience of incarceration and its impact on the entire family.

The final verses, describing life behind bars, add depth to the father's character and situation. The imagery of the prison yard, cell block, and courtroom paints a vivid picture of his new reality, while his dreams of "better days" and his daughter's smile underscore the hope that sustains him.

Ultimately, "Our Father Who Art in Prison" is a thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of love, protection, and consequence. It challenges listeners to consider the limits of parental love and the moral ambiguities that can arise when that love is tested. The song leaves us with the question: At what point does protection become destruction, and how do we navigate the grey areas of morality when it comes to safeguarding those we love?