What is the song, "Day is Done" by PP&M about?

[salemfan]

I've listened to Peter, Paul, and Mary's song, "Day is Done" and have wondered what it is about. Here are the lyrics:

Tell me why you’re crying, my son
I know you’re frightened, like everyone
Is it the thunder in the distance you fear?
Will it help if I stay very near?
I am here.

Refrain:
And if you take my hand my son
All will be well when the day is done.
And if you take my hand my son
All will be well when the day is done.
Day is done, day is done
Day is done, day is done

Do you ask why I’m sighing, my son?
You shall inherit what mankind has done.
In a world filled with sorrow and woe
If you ask me why this is so, I really don’t know.

(refrain)

Tell me why you’re smiling my son
Is there a secret you can tell everyone?
Do you know more than men that are wise?
Can you see what we all must disguise
Through your loving eyes?

(refrain)

Can anybody tell me what this song is about?

 

[RedDragon]

I think it's making a statement about childhood innocence, and fears. And how we lose our innocence as we get older. But that's just what I think, I wouldn't quote me on it. But it's a good educated guess(A.K.A Hypothesis).

 

[Don'tLiveonMoon]

Yeah, I agree, and it reminds me of "Where the River Meets the Sea." By the way, I love Peter Paul and Mary!
Erin

 

[salemfan]

How is it similar to, "Where the River Meets the Sea"?

 

[D'Snowth]

You mean songs are SUPPOSED to have a MEANING?

 

[mikebennidict]

well of course songs are supposed to have meanings. maybe not all songs and since PP&M are folk singers, they're probably more likely to write serious songs.

 

[Phantom]

Realize the song was written in 1969 and is like most songs of the time a war protest. Think about it...back then everyone was concerned with basically the same things we are now. Wars and rumors of wars, environmental concerns, the economy....everything we face today and the question is when the day is over (i.e. when this generation hands the torch over to the next) what kind of world will it be?

In the context of gloom and doom folk singers of the time, the here and now should not be liveable. But here we are, a little worse for wear, maybe or maybe not (its all perspective), and we are asking ourselves what kind of world will my kids inherit. Quite frankly after 911, it p*sses me off thinking of the crap my kids and perhaps one day grand-kids will have to put up with.

Back in my day, kids didn't get abducted or abused or at least not to the degree that their is now. My biggest fear was what was under my bed, not "Will a bomb go off while I'm riding the subway?" or "Will that bully in school bring a weapon with him today?" It's a bunch of crap. And quite frankly, I won't say, what I fear the breakdown was, but I'm mad just thinking about it.

Maybe those folk-people were right to be so negative.

 

[RedDragon]

Back in my day, kids didn't get abducted or abused or at least not to the degree that their is now. My biggest fear was what was under my bed, not "Will a bomb go off while I'm riding the subway?" or "Will that bully in school bring a weapon with him today?" It's a bunch of crap. And quite frankly, I won't say, what I fear the breakdown was, but I'm mad just thinking about it.

That's not exactly true. The number of abducted and abused kids hasn't really gone up. You just never used to hear about, it used to be tabu. But now with the way the world is turning the news feels the need to report on every tragedy. It's sad, but that's is just the way it is.