I had a harder time than I expected when my 17-year-old daughter left home to make her own way in the world. It surprised me—after all, I left home at 17 too. You’d think I’d understand it better, but watching her go was not easy. She was born when I was 50, so I’m an old papa, already a grandfather twice over. She grew up surrounded by my wife and our circle of adult friends, most of whom didn’t have grandkids yet and adored her like she was theirs.

Since she’s been gone, she’s kept much of her life to herself. When we do get the chance to see her, we hang on every word, trying to piece together how our “little girl” is navigating her new adult life.

This song came about a year after she left. She’d just turned 18 and officially stepped into adulthood. She told us she’d been busking, picking up odd jobs, and that she was headed down to Los Angeles for a few weeks to support her girlfriend, who had some gigs there.

Lyrics

Last I saw you
You were headed
Down to LA with your friend
Just a guitar
And a banjo
Two vagabonds on the mend

I was saying
To your mama
I wonder how this will end
I’m sure we’ll see you
When you want to
Show your face around the bend

You got the guts
To live your life how you want
Any way you see fit
And for my part
I’ll keep singing my song
And I’ll see you in a bit

Born and raised with
A bunch of hippies
With ideas for a better planet

We tried our hardest
But things don’t always
Work out the way you plan it

You got the guts
To live your life how you want
Any way you see fit
And for my part
I’ll keep singing my song
And I’ll see you in a bit
Yeah I’ll see you in a bit