Father's Choice

People call me Zebedee—
God-fearing, hard-working—
Raising my family.

My sons work strong
Hauling ropes at my side.
Never doing any wrong.

When the Galilean
Stood upon the shore,
He inspired my sons.

I told them, "no, sons, no,
Don't leave our work, our boat.
Please, you must not go."

It isn't fair, you surely see,
For those two strong boys
To walk away from me.

Without the work they do
We won't have fish to sell.
The bank will call us due.

Yet it's not my place
To hold them tight to me,
Or keep them from God's grace.

"James, John, goodbye.
I hope this man will teach
You well, will satisfy.

Go, go before he leaves.
Take my blessing and my love
To do the good he weaves.