Expert: Bong Santos - 5/30/2006

Question
I am trying to find out the name of a song.  If I remember correctly, the song is from the perspective of a new father who's newborn son's eye remind him of his own father's eyes.  I think part of the lyrics of the song has the line ... "in his eyes..."   If you could be of assistance, that would be great.  Thanks so much.

Answer
Dear Lee,

There are lots of songs talking about FATHER AND SON relationships. We could have gotten a more clearer picture had you given me a more detailed lyrics of the song. However, two songs came to my mind which I feel is the closest to that song you mentioned.
First is ERIC CLAPTON's MY FATHER'S EYES from his 1998 set PILGRIMS. Another is AMY GRANT's FATHER'S EYES from her 1979 album FATHER'S EYES.

Here is CLAPTON's MY FATHER'S EYES

MY FATHER'S EYES / ERIC CLAPTON

Sailing down behind the sun,
Waiting for my prince to come.
Praying for the healing rain
To restore my soul again.

Just a toerag* on the run.
How did I get here?
What have I done?
When will all my hopes arise?
How will I know him?
When I look in my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.
When I look in my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.

Then the light begins to shine
And I hear those ancient lullabies.
And as I watch this seedling grow,
Feel my heart start to overflow.

Where do I find the words to say?
How do I teach him?
What do we play?
Bit by bit, I've realized
That's when I need them,
That's when I need my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.
That's when I need my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.

Then the jagged edge appears
Through the distant clouds of tears.
I'm like a bridge that was washed away;
My foundations were made of clay.

As my soul slides down to die.
How could I lose him?
What did I try?
Bit by bit, I've realized
That he was here with me;
I looked into my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.
I looked into my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.

My father's eyes.
My father's eyes.
I looked into my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.

*-Toerag is a British slang term for a worthless person, by analogy with the strips of cloth that vagrants wear in place of socks.

Maraming salamat po!

BONG M. SANTOS
Manila, Philippines