Dad the Robin - Lyrics

In 2012, I came to live with you and mom in Taiwan in a little town called Grey Mountain. Had no idea you lived right at the top of a faculty dorm overlooking the school track. Every day we followed all the young people, down stairs and ramps to the dining hall on campus. We grabbed our trays, piled up our plates. For two or three dollars we got whatever we wanted.

Sometimes we’d eat there, sometimes bring it back up. The days were too warm and it rained a lot. I watched soap operas and subtitles, and stared out at the misty mountains. I was frustrated and curious, didn’t you guys want anything more?

It was a strange time, pretty chaotic. Why’d I leave LA just before my birthday? You took me out to a brand new restaurant by the side of the road, you could feel the highway. We ordered beers and mom prayed for us. The food was alright, we got whatever we wanted. Over dinner you told me I talk too much, you thought I should know, thanks now I know.

I got up and moved to the city. It got cold and it rained a lot. Thought I would spend time with grandma. We’d cook and joke all day, I’d bring her secrets back to California. But the years had changed her a lot, so we sat around and ate guava and chatted with the tv on.

There is this one day I’ll never forget, Christmas Day back in Grey Mountain. All the seniors at the center wearing santa hats. Mom looked pretty, you looked handsome. There was this lady dressed in a gown, modern haircut, high tech headset. She sang out of of tune and for way too long. Nobody liked it and at the end she made a girl deliver her flowers.

Then you went up there in your red sweater vest, you looked like a robin. You said this was your favorite song and tried your best to keep your arms right by your side. You did good till the final verse. Then there was nothing you could do, something else was moving you.

Your arms came up, your arms came up, your hands made circles, your arms came up. Your hands made circles, your arms came up, you closed your eyes, held out your palms.

It was beautiful! It was Ave Maria! It was everything that you were meant to be. Your voice rang out, it sailed across the people and I swear your feet were nearly off the ground. When you finished, you sat back down, the ladies in front gave their congratulations. You looked happy and Mom looked proud and I felt calm for the first time in a long while.