"My Father" by Judy Collins is a poignant reflection on broken promises and unfulfilled dreams, as the narrator recalls her father's vow to move the family to France and fulfill their desires. Despite the father's dreams of a better life, the narrator ultimately finds herself in Paris, reminiscing about the abandoned dreams of her childhood and the lasting impact of her father's unfulfilled promises.

Meaning of "My Father" by Judy Collins

"My Father" by Judy Collins delves into the themes of broken promises, unfulfilled dreams, and the passage of time. The song captures the bittersweet nostalgia of looking back on childhood memories, where the narrator's father always promised them a life in France, filled with boating on the Seine and dreams of dancing. However, the reality of their lives in Ohio and the father's mining work dulls those dreams, leaving the youngest daughter clinging to the hope that one day they would sail away. As life progresses, the sisters leave for their own paths, the dreams fade, and the narrator finds herself in Paris, watching her children dance and dream - a stark reminder of the life her father had envisioned for them. The repetition of the promise to live in France and sail on the Seine serves as a powerful motif of unfulfilled promises and lost dreams, resonating with the idea of longing for a life that never materialized. The final imagery of sailing memories on the Seine and watching the Paris sun set in her father's eyes again signifies a sense of closure and acceptance, as the narrator comes to terms with the past and the enduring impact of her father's promises.