Billy Bragg - Tanks park salute

[@seventiesmovies]

"you were so tall - how could you fall?" Jesus Christ, that line...every time.

[@debutch7777]

seventiesmovies I have always found this to be a beautiful and very emotional song but it is "that" simple line that crushes me. The thoughts of a little boy who has just lost his dad. Unbearably moving.

[@bookishification]

Me too, for years and years...

[@johnwilloug2717]

"I closed my eyes and when I looked, your name was in the memorial book..." That couplet gets me. I neglected connecting to my father for some time, then when I'd just started spending time with him, suddenly he was gone. Four hundred people at his funeral, politicians, civic leaders... and I only knew about twenty of his friends. He did things, and worked for causes I don't even know about; I'm not even half the person he was. Here's a tank park salute to you.

[@Uppercut443]

@@johnwilloug2717 Yes you are. You're a great person. The things in your heart, whether enacted or nor, are the arbiters of your greatness. I have no doubt you measure well.

[@redstep-child3096]

Myself as well.

[@trebor3377]

I used to DJ for my college radio station. When I was starting out in the fall of 1991 I used to have the 2-6 am shift. That fall we had Billy Bragg's record Don't Try This at Home on our playlist, which was the first time I had heard his music. In October one of my best friends from home lost his Mom in a horrible car accident, I remember that fall I would play Tank Park Salute every week in the middle of the night in her memory. I was just listening to this song tonight. My Dad is in hospice care and probably doesn't have much time left. This song reminded me of how much I am going to miss him when he is gone and how grateful I have been for the time I have gotten to spend with him this year. My thoughts are with all of you who have shared your thoughts about your Dad's passing here, reading these words have brought comfort to me.

[@eamonhanka]

My fear is that I never did enough. Thank you for your post.

[@johndavies7688]

Heart wrenching, everytime. I can still feel how my dads hand felt holding mine. Me as a 7 year old, and he so tall. I wrote to Billy about this. Fair play, he wrote back.

[@PaulCarr1]

It's the line "At the top of the stairs is darkness." That does it for me. 😭

[@paulroberts9675]

That's such a powerful line 😞

[@stephengreen2337]

Lost my Dad when I was 5 and at 35 I’ve just found this song! Unbelievably moving!

[@DaveSCameron]

Crushing, best wishes to you and yours ❤️

[@Lunal73]

Even this is about a father I’m dedicating it to my mother who passed away on July 06, 2022. This pain is much to real. Sleep well mom. 😭💔🌹

[@TheOneRaf]

Here in BE "Dans les yeux de ma mère" from Arno is a very commonly played on a mother's funeral. Very heartfelt. I've always seen that song as the mother-version to what this song does to me. My father was diagnosed with cancer and he decided not to receive any medical help. We're counting the days. I often come here but I feel as though it will strike very hard the day I come back here when he's no longer with us.

[@Zeppolino100]

I found this song by accident in 1994 a few months after my Dear Father suddenly passed away at age 72. I had gone down to Florida to see him for the Christmas Holidays in 1993, and I had this empty feeling when I left, sensing I would never see him again. He died the following March 24. What made it so fitting was that one year when I was about 10 we were visiting in the city he was born in and he asked me to pick out a toy that I would like, which he then purchased one for me, and one for a boy of the same age we were about to visit. It was a Tank that shot red wooden pellets. And like others commenting below, even at my full height I was a good 5 inches shorter than he, so as a child, he was "So Tall." You never imagine that stalwart presence will ever Fall, will ever leave you. Rest in Peace, Dear Dad. ;-)

[@sheilatakeabow1990]

I can't make it through this song without crying!

[@thesighcompany]

sheilatakeabow1990 i thought it was just me.

[@Rufusdos]

same.

[@craigfda]

Make that three of us then... since my dad passed, this song brings me to tears every time.

[@theChrisCroft]

same

[@thefalcon256]

I was fortunate enough to hear Bragg play it live at the Lead Mill in Sheffield and the words still break my heart at 50 years old.

[@stephenroche5107]

You are never to old to cry dude.

[@yeovil50]

My dear Dad passed away today, all the lyrics describe perfectly how i feel now. I love you Dad

[@Popmetalj]

I heard this for the first time about a week ago - brings me to tears each time - reminds me of how much I miss my Dad and wondering if I've been a good enough father to my son.

[@Sveinbeard]

I couldn't agree more.

[@murraymckay5183]

Jonathan Holt Yes you have x

[@glensmall9194]

If you are sufficiently self aware to ask the question, I believe you are probably a very good, loving and proud Dad. Go well, mate. Respect

[@wendahe]

indeed.

[@inbloom77]

one of the most beautiful songs ever written

[@bee0345]

I was with my dad and this song played. He said he played this song when my brother died. He started crying. That was the first time I have ever seen him cry-

[@pesperepus]

My father passed away 2 months ago, he died from liver cancer, he was truly the best person I knew. I love you tata, how I wish you were here... Fališ...

[@littleclover2289]

Tomorrow is my first Father's Day without my dad and I am so glad I found this song.

[@billhowe4863]

Lost my dad in August, miss him every day, he was my best friend and only person I ever trusted completely.

[@MarkWhittaker-dj5je]

I played it at my Dad's funeral in March. I emailed Billy to thank him for writing this song and telling him how it had helped me through one of the most difficult periods of my life. I then asked if he would play it at his gig at The Roundhouse tonight. He duly obliged. What an absolute legend

[@johnpearce3033]

For those of us lucky enough to have a wonderful father - this song takes us right back to holding his hand.

[@rootindogg]

"Photographs of a summer's day, a little boy's lifetime away is all I've left of everything we've done"

[@antw3565]

perfect lyric

[@paulroberts9675]

I can relate to this lyric only too well 😔

[@frogman101]

Could anyone explain?

[@bigron1977]

@@frogman101 Just the feeling that one can have, after losing their father.

[@MrEvanTea]

The part that gets me also

[@justlikejaxsoa4587]

100% pure brilliance, I email billy about this song , just so emotional, and he replied great Bloke one our best

[@debutch7777]

I bought this album 29 years ago & this song brought tears to my eyes.......and it has done that every single time I have played it since. For me, this is the most moving & poignant song ever written.

[@tellyknessis6229]

My Old Man's funeral (WWII veteran - like Billy's...). At the crematorium. All the cliches of curtains and conveyor belts. I think I'm doing pretty well. Unannounced, my brother has slipped this onto the CD player. Seconds later I'm in bits. So right. So bittersweet... Top job, BB.

[@MrEvanTea]

I sang this at my Dad's funeral (08/07/24) - it was so hard to do but I got through it, my family is from a small town in the west of Ireland called "Tuam" in the county of Galway so, I changed the last line "Tank Park Salute" to "Tuam Town Salute" to make it more fitting. There is a famous band from Tuam called The Saw Doctors and I'm friends with Leo from the band, anyways I met Leo up town one day and I said to him Billy Bragg is supporting yous in Manchester on the 06/07/24 - he was just as surprised as me cause we are both big Bill fans, I told him I'd fly over to the gig but just days before my Dad passed suddenly in his sleep, I messaged Leo and told him I wouldn't make the gig for obvious reasons, he said he'd heard the sad news and sent his condolences. I replied to Leo the day of the gig and said "If you see Billy backstage Leo tell him I love his music and it means a lot to me and that I was going to sing Tank Park Salute for my Dad at the funeral. Not too long later a message came back from Leo with a little message written from Billy saying "To Evan, keep the faith - Billy Bragg" he had sent his condolences and was honoured I'd sing his song at my Dad's funeral. After the funeral I was standing outside the church feeling so empty and drained - I looked up and there was Leo with his hand out to shake and Billy's message and signature in the other hand - I gave him a big hug, I thought Leo was gonna still be in the UK somewhere getting ready for his next gig but he had made it to the funeral, I was so surprised and happy, it's something I'll never forget and will be forever grateful. Thank you Leo, thank you Billy R.I.P Dad - I hope I done you proud, I love you.

[@PaulR986]

"Like a pale moon in a sunny sky death glances down as I pass by. To remind me I am but my father's son". Just fucking wow.

[@greglyons2526]

Lost my Dad at 6 and this song makes me cry every time I hear it

[@johngallagher72]

I closed my eyes and when I looked your name was in the memorial book ❤....You were so tall how could you fall.

[@Pumpeduse]

I played this song on my father's burial ceremony........it's such a powerful song. Poetry of the finest kind.

[@robertfarnsworth3706]

Fantastic song, great photograph. My message to my children is live your life, don't whatever you do give in to material rubbish - it is beyond unimportant.

[@martinbeirne1371]

As someone who lost his father this week, this track was bloody hard to listen to but so fitting x

[@mickcarlon8147]

Sorry, mate. Know how it feels.

[@Xchardtop]

My most treasured song of Billys

[@pauldeane2122]

RIP Dad, still cry every time i hear this. So much more i wish i’d telled, so much more time we should’ve had. UTB

[@Pumpeduse]

a most amazing song ! I played it on my father's funeral service!

[@davidfrancis9028]

Beautiful Song

[@richardwilliams8001]

I was fifteen when my Dad died, I have now lived 8 years longer than he did. A strange feeling. This song always gets me.

[@CHAMPisHeRe3234]

It's been a tough year for loved one's dying. This song has helped me get through it. Thanks, Billy.

[@rongrant3500]

Gut wrenching lyrics and music, in the best possible way. Why the world (generally) doesn't know this song, I'll never understand.

[@jimgallacher7345]

What an utter record, ticks every box , billy boy amazing man x

[@reddstone6274]

My Brother Ray had this at his funeral. He was a very GOOD man.

[@kevanhughes]

My thoughts are with you X

[@kirstentytgat257]

this song is divine and feels like heaven. Thank you Billy Bragg XXX

[@biffmuncher23]

Always think of my Grandad (basically my dad) when I listen to this. Always brings me to tears. Absolutely beautiful

[@keironkeightley]

Tears everytime... Must be the wine

[@Sam-st2pp]

*best song ever written*

[@tonybarstow9813]

I'd forgotten how beautiful this song is ♥

[@jameslittler4151]

The best music video ever.

[@PaulSmith-wn8be]

Thanks billy.....

[@scottmurray7126]

Astonishingly good makes me cry everytime

[@lmcarlon]

a perfect work of art.

[@alantrue7316]

It's a belter., thanks Johnny Mac., thanks Billy.

[@distantmoons]

Such a good song, evoking, important and life affirming

[@DJScoots71]

Heard this song by chance 25 years ago and it's remained my favourite song ever since! Many a tear shed to this. The sound of the guitar strings being caught at 1:52 is awesome!

[@bengibson3534]

Much respect to all the comments below. For my grandad 'Sir' rip

[@johnbarry1965]

"Death gazes down as I pass by, to remind that i'm but my fathers son"

[@philiphamer5959]

Perhaps this is Billy's best song. Heartbreakingly beautiful.

[@MichaelHoare-vr7mo]

I like Billy Bragg 's music ,a perfect blend of Folk, Protest and Punk music.

[@markallgood7980]

Tears....

[@velolocation6461]

incredibly touching meaningful lyrics.

[@dennisproctor4090]

My dad died quite young, but we didn't connect too well. I've tried to put that right with my 2 sons...what will be will be at the end of the day.

[@DaveSCameron]

A track to bring out on intense moments... ❤️🎶

[@boynunboynun]

This was played at my dad's funeral.

[@ultanbeare]

One is all we have. What held you from birth & watched you grow everyday was just like One before not knowing than for what is now .What yesturdays held in your heart that moment we had to part nobody understands more than you do .Only the one part of what you see in the mirror the reflection is me . Days weeks months turn to years nothing seems to ease them tears cause we only have the One .Take your time as you go your way know that everyday nomatter what turns out to be only One only One .

[@NIGELANGST]

Beautiful 🥰

[@oncewerekiwis]

My last march will be to this song.

[@alexxmason672]

FOR MY FATHER CEO BA TENNIS WONER SMART SRONG LUVING LONG AND DEEP GOD, HOW I WEEP,

[@mickcarlon8147]

A PERFECT song.

[@billquinn9095]

Hi. Love this song, but can you please edit the title to: Tank Park Salute ? Thanks.

[@mennatroughton6319]

Love this

[@tobyrigby7]

Here in 2024

[@peterfagan5000]

I am not afraid of dying... I fear leaving my kids.

[@PeterShieldsukcatstripey]

For Jo and Rodney.

[@redstep-child3096]

If anyone can find the video of him playing & explaing this song, please let me know. Woodbridge or something like that.

[@michaelmarifern9541]

Sadly beautiful

[@cysn1]

Highly unrated song

[@PeterShieldsukcatstripey]

For Jo and Rodney.