As Dreams Go By And More Of My Favorite Harry Chapin Lyrics

Developing the Next Generation of Rainmakers As Dreams Go By and More of My Favorite Harry Chapin Lyrics Recently, on Fridays I have focused on poetry that has meaning and today I want to focus on lyrics from some songs that have meaning to me. If you are are a regular reader, you know that I recently wrote about Harry Chapin in the context of Pro Bono service. Several young lawyers shared with me that they had not heard of Harry Chapin, but when I told them he wrote and sang: Cat’s in the Cradle, they all knew that song. Eight years ago I wrote an article for the Texas Bar Journal titled: Strategy for Career and Life. You will see in the article that I wrote a whole section on what I learned from Harry Chapin. In the article I shared lessons from three of my favorite Harry Chapin songs. I want to mention those and share some lyrics here. I think you will find there is a common theme and that is finding what really matters in your life and doing something about it. Cat’s in the Cradle:  (The father was too busy to do anything with the son. Now the father is retired and the son is too busy to see the father). Well, I’ve long since retired, my son’s moved away I called him up just the other day I said, “I’d like to see you, if you don’t mind”, he said “I’d love to, Dad, if I could find the time. You see my new job’s a hassle and the kid’s with the flu But it’s sure nice talkin’ to you, Dad, It’s been sure nice talkin’ to you.” And as I hung up the phone it occured to me, He’d grown up just like me My boy was just like me As Dreams Go By: (This couple started their life with dreams about their career and life, but they never found the time to actually do what it would take to fulfill their dreams. Now, they have grandchildren.)  There you stand in your tailored suit So many years gone by, but you’re still so cute You take the car to go and meet the bus When our grandchildren come to visit us You say you should have been a ballerina, babe There are songs I should have sung But I guess our dreams have come and gone You’ve gotta dream when you are young And so you and I We watched our years go by We watched our sweet dreams fly Far away, but maybe someday I don’t know when But we will dream again And we’ll be happy then Till our time just drifts away I Wonder What Would Happen to this World:  (This is the  epitaph on his grave. What do you think he is saying to us?) Oh if a man tried To take his time on earth And prove before he died What one man’s life could be worth I wonder what would happen to this world I think he is saying that as one person if we really tried to take time before we die to do as much we can to make a difference for others who are in need…I wonder what would happen to this world. I practiced law for 37 years developing a national construction law practice representing some of the top highway and transportation construction contractors in the US.