There's a really good song called "THAT'S MY JOB" -- by Gary Burr -- about a son's experience of a father. I got it from Bob Reid.

I woke up crying late at night when I was very young
And I had dreamed my father had passed away and gone.
My world revolved around him -- I couldn't lie there anymore
So I made my way down the mirrored hall and tapped upon his door

And I said, "Daddy, I'm so afraid
How will I go on with you gone that way?
Don't want to cry anymore,
So may I stay with you?"

He said, "That's my job.
That's what I do.
Everything I do is because of you
To keep you safe with me:
That's my job, you see."

Later we barely got along, this teenage boy and he.
Most of the fights, it seems, were over different dreams we each had for me:
He wanted knowledge and learning -- I wanted to fly out West,
Said, "I could make it out there if I just had the fare --
I've got half -- will you loan me the rest?"

"Daddy, I'm so afraid,
There's no guarantee in the plans I've made
And if I should fail
Who will pay my way back home.

He said, "That's my job ..."

Woke up early one bright fall day to spread the tragic news:
After all my travel I settled down within a mile or two.
I make my living with words and rhymes and all this tragedy
Should go into my head and out instead as bits of poetry

Daddy, I'm so afraid,
How will I go on with you gone this way?
How can I come up with a song to say
I love you?

That's my job.
That's what I do.
Everything I do is because of you
To keep you safe with me.
That's my job, you see.

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It looks a little raggedy on the page -- you have to hear it sung.