Father and Son

by Cat Stevens

Father and Son

by Cat Stevens

___________
It's not time to make a change,
Just relax, take it easy.
You're still young, that's your fault,
There's so much you have to know.
Find a girl, settle down,
If you want you can marry.
Look at me, I am old, but I'm happy.

I was once like you are now, and I know that it's not easy,
To be calm when you've found something going on.
But take your time, think a lot,
Why, think of everything you've got.
For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not.

___________
How can I try to explain, when I do he turns away again.
It's always been the same, same old story.
From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen.
Now there's a way and I know that I have to go away.
I know I have to go.

___________
It's not time to make a change,
Just relax, take it easy.
You're still young, that's your fault,
There's so much you have to know.
Find a girl, settle down,
if you want you can marry.
Look at me, I am old, but I'm happy.

___________
All the times that I cried, keeping all the things I knew inside,
It's hard, but it's harder to ignore it.
If they were right, I'd agree, but it's them you know not me.
Now there's a way and I know that I have to go away.
I know I have to go.

Father and Son

by Cat Stevens

Task 1.

Who do you think said these things, the father or the son?

1. It's not time to make a change,
2. You're still young, that's your fault,
3. Find a girl, settle down,
4. But take your time, think a lot,
5. For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not.
6. How can I try to explain, when I do he turns away again.
7. From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen.
8. Now there's a way and I know that I have to go away.
9. Just relax, take it easy.
10. There's so much you have to know.
11. If you want you can marry.
12. Look at me, I am old, but I'm happy.
13. If they were right, I'd agree, but it's them you know not me.
14. I know I have to go.

Task 2.

Answer these questions:

(There is no right or wrong answers, so I do not provide the answers. The ss should
express their ideas and predict)

1. What do you think the situation is?
2. Why do you think the son wants to go?
3. What is the father’s advice?
4. What doesn’t the father understand?
5. What does the son want?
6. How do they both feel?

Father and Son

by Cat Stevens

Freer Practice. Role-play

1. Son
You have a new girlfriend. She likes metal music and rock. She drinks beer and attends

rock concerts. But you love her, she takes care of you. She is clever and supportive. You
want to be with her.

1. Father
You cannot believe your son. You don’t want to accept such a person in your family. You

try to persuade your son, that she’s not the only girl around. You don’t want to meet her.

1. Psychologist

Your advice – accept your son the way he is. You still love him, he is still your son. Try to
see the positive sides of their friendship. Try to accept the girl, she takes good care of you

son. Remember the time you were young.

2. Son
You don’t want to get you diploma. You are tired of your studies,
teachers and stupid system of secondary education. You want to work and
earn money. You want to have more free time and fell independent.

2. Father
You cannot believe your son. You don’t want to accept, that he will have
no education. You speak about the importance of the secondary education
in Russia. You give all the perspectives of having the diploma. You
promise to help him.

2. Psychologist
Your advice – accept your son the way he is. You still love him, he is
still your son. Try to see the positive sides of his choice: he wants to be
independent and he wants to become a grown-up. Try to help him with

his choice, not make the choice yourself.



3. Son
You are tired of home, work and studies, you want to go one
year traveling. You need new environment, new people

around, new emotions. You have enough money to survive in
any country, so you look forward to round the world trip.

3. Father
You are amazed by such a wish! You don’t want to let him go.

You are afraid and worried. You will be very upset to stay
home alone.

3. Psychologist
Your advice – accept your son the way he is. You still love

him, he is still your son. Try to let free, because he is
already old enough. Try to organize your life and wish good
luck and all the best to your son.