Album: Hot August Night (1972)

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• Morningside, the old man died.
  And no one cried, they simply turned away.
  And when he died,
  He left a table filled with nails and pride.
  And with his hands he carved these words inside:
  "For my children"
  
  Morning light, morning bright.
  I spent the night with dreams that make you weep.
  Morning time,
  Wash away the sadness from these eyes of mine,
  For I recall the words an old man signed:
  "For my children"
  
  And the legs were shaped with his hands,
  And the table made with oaken wood.
  And the children that sat around this great table,
  Touched it with their laughter, and that was good.
  
  Morningside, the old man died.
  And no one cried, he surely died alone.
  And truth is sad,
  For not a child would claim the gift he had.
  The words he carved became his epitaph......
  "For my children" Writer/s: NEIL DIAMOND
  Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 8

• Susan from WaI believe this song has underpinnings of the greatest carpenter, Christ and our relationship with Him when He was crucified. His children (Apostles) scattered and wouldn’t accept His Gift in fear.
  For My Children. He died alone. Still, carved into the table is His epitaph… For My Children.
  
  No matter your beliefs… this story rings true on many levels of life. Love above all!
• The Lonely Man from South CarolinaThe story touches me because of the lost love between a father and his children. Why are his children not present when he dies? Why do they not want the table he made for them?
  In my interpretation, the family is poor. The father is a craftsman who must work many hours during the day to provide for his family. He misses the precious time with his children as they grow up because he is fulfilling what he sees as his primary duty as a father: he must provide food and shelter for his family. His hard work does just that and his children grow up not knowing the suffering of hunger and extreme poverty. But his children need the love and attention of their father; a necessary part of a wholesome childhood. They would rather have that than any material thing. They grow up resenting their father because they think he doesn’t love them. He is always working and, to them, work is more important than they are. So in the end, the tragedy of the lost love between a father and his children result in an empty, meaningless event. The father dies alone but leaves a message of love for his children that they never receive. How many times has this tragic relationship played out over time?
• Mark from ColoradoReminds me of my dad who passed away in July of 2020. I have always liked this song but when he passed it hit me like a ton of bricks. He loved working with wood and when I hear this beautiful song now it has so much more meaning, and I become a mess listening to it.
• Sandie from TexasAll the comments I have read so far are spot on.
  Jenny said well about it being "a beautiful song that deals with sad feelings".
  Neil Diamond opens his soul when he performs. He draws us into the songs and one cannot help but appreciate his extraordinary talent.
  I pray he is doing well managing his health. I miss seeing him perform - once in person. Awesome!
• Seventhmist from 7th HeavenBrings to mind this bit of wisdom: "When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you're smiling and everyone around you is crying."
• Jenny from Sydney NswMorningside is one of my favourite Neil Diamond songs I don't know that I would say that it a "sad" song, rather a beautiful song that deals with sad feelings As usual Neil found something that touched him in some way and wound it into a piece of Diamond beauty
• Ross Farengael from NêrensnieMy father has always been a very solitary man, but he works day and night to support me financially. I always think of him and his father (my late grandfather, who was also a hard worker) when I listen to this song. Neil Diamond was a bit before my time sadly, I'll probably never get the chance to meet him.
• Don from Kingman, AzI was always touched by this song.
  
  No one is alone if he has Jesus.

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