The Table

Lyrics

Verse 1

Fifty Christmases ago,
They waited by the tree.
Wide-eyed little faces,
Every one watching me.

"Can we go skating, Daddy?"
"Can I ride my bicycle outside?"
Ballet shoes--and she's on her toes,
Pirouetting by my side.

Verse 2

Thirty Thanksgivings ago,
The old table wouldn't do.
Husbands, wives and grandchildren,
A whole new family grew.

"Nice new table, Dad,"
I heard above the din.
I tried a different turkey that year--
And everybody dug in.

Verse 3

Twenty-five years later,
My grandchildren have partners now.
"Do I need a bigger table?"
I think they'll all be coming somehow.

I've bought the colored eggs.
I'm planning Easter too.
One has college football,
One's looking at schools.

Some parents booked a cruise.
Maybe Easter won't happen this year.
They all have somewhere else to be.

Chorus

Where have all the children gone?
Where have all the children gone?
When did they grow so far away?

I might need a smaller table.
I just don't understand.

Bridge

I taught them how to find their way.
Never knew I'd lose my place.
I never knew there'd come a day
They wouldn't need me anymore.

Verse 4

Now I sit at my child's table,
Watching everyone gather 'round.
I hear the children asking,
"When do we open the presents?"

And I hear my own voice in his.
I see myself in his face.
I turn away for just a moment
And let the tears fall in their place.

Final Chorus

Where have all the children gone?
I think I finally understand.

They went where I taught them to go.
They went beyond my hands.

And though I know this is the way
A family is meant to grow...

I miss that Christmas morning

Story Behind the Song:
With people living longer, the Baby Boomers surge in the elderly population and the emergence of the "sandwich generation," trying to balance their nearly grown children with the needs of their aging parents, family dynamics have changed.

It's difficult for aging parents to accept the changes, especially when they're forced to abdicate as "head of the family."

That's what prompted this song. We hope you will enjoy it.

Song Length: 5:14

Primary Genre: Blues-General

Secondary Genre: -