My Father's Footsteps

Through the years McCoy has given voice to a lot of my songs. In the 1980’s a number of them were written specifically for McCoy to sing. “My Father’s Footsteps” is one of those songs. Like many of us McCoy had a complicated relationship with his dad.

Because they lived a block from the high school, McCoy’s dad was the principal, and McCoy, the only son, was one of their small town’s highest profile athletes their relationship at times played out more publicly than either one of them might have wished.

This song was inspired by the way McCoy used to talk about going to the ocean and digging clams with his dad.

McCoy’s dad was in the audience when McCoy sang this song for the first time in September of 1984. In his introduction McCoy talked about how his dad had ridden the rails to LA to see the 1932 Olympics and how he, McCoy, had driven down to LA to see the 84 Olympics. He finished his introduction by saying “I think I know now why I am what I am. This man’s a pretty good man.”

There was no way for McCoy to understand all he was saying that night. He was right in that his dad was and he is a pretty good man. When he finished singing he wished his dad a very public happy birthday. A little over a year later he sang the song again at his father’s memorial.

My Father's Footsteps

As a kid my dad and me
Would walk together by the sea
I tried as only children can
To match those strides there in the sand
Of those footsteps, my father's footsteps

When I grew too tired to walk
He'd carry me we wouldn't talk
Till he got me home and yet
On the beach I saw one set
Of footsteps, my father's footsteps
Chorus
I never wanted him to watch
But, God, I hope he sees
The way I saw the way he walked
And how I tried to be
In those footsteps
My father's footsteps

When I grew up I had to try
My own legs find my own stride
He knew enough to let it be
Somehow I could always see
Those footsteps, my father's footsteps

I made my way down different sands
Took steps he could not understand
Somehow there was always love
And the understanding of
Those footsteps, my father's footsteps
Chorus
I never wanted him to watch
But, God, I hope he sees
The way I saw the way he walked
And how I tried to be
In those footsteps
My father's footsteps

©Copyright 1985
Love Gives More Music