Meaning of "Words Of Gratitude (Parents)" by Hail The Sun

The lyrics explore the artist's deep appreciation and remorse towards their parents for their unwavering love and support throughout the artist's troubled past. The song refers to a specific time when the artist was 17 years old and recalls an incident involving an officer warning the artist's parents about them. The artist acknowledges that their parents had already seen the warning signs of their struggles and difficulties, which eventually led to their rescue. Despite the artist's actions and the challenges they put their parents through, the artist expresses a wish to undo the pain they caused and questions if they were ever hard to love. The artist acknowledges that their life is indebted to their parents, recognizing the sacrifices made and the impact their parents had on their existence.

The song also delves into the relationship with the artist's father, acknowledging the similarities between father and son and understanding the reasons behind the father's actions. The artist wonders what went wrong and who else can be blamed for their current state. The line "Our son is gone!" suggests a sense of loss or disappointment from the parents' perspective, further highlighting the impact of the artist's actions.

The lyrics convey a deep sense of regret and longing to make amends. The artist acknowledges the sleepless nights their parents must have endured due to their actions, further emphasizing the pain inflicted upon their parents. The repetition of the line "Tell her later" suggests a delayed expression of gratitude, perhaps due to difficulty in finding adequate words to convey their emotions. The artist wishes they could take back their past mistakes and questions whether they were ever hard to love. Ultimately, the artist acknowledges that their life and accomplishments are a tribute to their parents' love and support.