My son gave me thirteen straws
And said, “Dad, you’re irresponsible”
I looked at him
He looked at me
Neither of us was joking
Thirteen straws
Laid in my hand
Like evidence before the court
I’ve made it seventy years somehow
But apparently
That counts for nought
Chorus
Thirteen straws
That’s what I got
Thirteen chances
To lose the lot
I’ve raised my kids
I’ve paid my way
I’ve somehow made it here today
But William says
Without a pause
I’m not responsible
For thirteen straws
I’ve wired a house
I’ve fixed a leak
I’ve kept things going
Week by week
I’ve made mistakes
I’ve had my flaws
But never lost
Thirteen straws
Now sons grow tall
And fathers shrink
And somewhere there
The tables turn
The boy you taught
To cross the road
Starts telling you
What you should learn
Chorus
Thirteen straws
That’s what I got
Thirteen chances
To lose the lot
I’ve raised my kids
I’ve paid my way
I’ve somehow made it here today
But William says
Without a pause
I’m not responsible
For thirteen straws
Bridge
Maybe he’s right
Maybe he’s not
Maybe I’ll lose
The bloody lot
But if I do
Before too long
At least they’ll make
A decent song
Final Chorus
Thirteen straws
Still in my hand
Thirteen things
I don’t understand
The years roll on
The children change
And suddenly
The world’s gone strange
I raised that boy
Now here’s the cause—
He’s put me in charge
Of thirteen straws
Outro
Thirteen straws…
Count them twice.
Apparently
That’s my life.
Lyrics Michael Forty
Voice Mike & Friends