Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young – Teach Your Children

About the song

Released in 1970 on their iconic album Déjà Vu, “Teach Your Children” is a timeless folk-rock anthem written by Graham Nash. The song advocates for intergenerational understanding and the importance of learning from both past and present, urging parents to teach their children wisdom while also encouraging the youth to learn from the experiences of their elders. It quickly became one of CSNY’s most beloved and enduring tracks, celebrated for its gentle melody, heartfelt message, and exquisite harmonies.

The sound and style: “Teach Your Children” is a quintessential folk-rock ballad, characterized by its acoustic guitar-driven foundation, rich vocal harmonies, and a warm, inviting atmosphere. The sound is organic, melodic, and deeply comforting, embodying the spirit of the Laurel Canyon folk scene of the late 1960s and early 1970s. It feels intimate yet expansive, a perfect vehicle for the band’s renowned vocal blend.

Musical features:

• Acoustic Guitar Foundation: The song is built around the strumming of acoustic guitars, providing a gentle yet steady rhythm and harmonic structure.
• Signature Vocal Harmonies: The hallmark of CSNY’s sound is on full display here. The intricate and soaring harmonies of David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, and Neil Young are breathtaking, layering over each other to create a lush, ethereal vocal tapestry. Nash typically sings the lead melody, with the others weaving in around him.
• Stephen Stills’ Pedal Steel Guitar: A particularly distinctive feature is Stills’ melodic and mournful pedal steel guitar, which adds a beautiful country-folk texture and a wistful, almost spiritual quality to the song.
• Gentle Rhythm Section: The drums and bass provide a subtle, supportive rhythm that keeps the song moving forward without ever overpowering the delicate vocal and acoustic arrangements.
• Clear, Warm Production: The production allows each instrument and vocal harmony to breathe, creating a natural and inviting sound that feels very intimate.

It’s gentle, harmonious, and deeply sincere, a musical plea for wisdom and connection across generations.

Lyrical themes and atmosphere:

“You who are on the road must have a code that you can live by / And so become yourself because the past is just a good-bye”

The lyrics convey a two-fold message: first, an exhortation to parents and older generations to impart wisdom and understanding to their children, teaching them about the mistakes and lessons of the past. Second, it’s a call to the younger generation to listen, learn, and then forge their own path, acknowledging the past but not being bound by it. The atmosphere is one of hopeful guidance, shared learning, and a profound respect for both tradition and innovation. There’s a sense of continuity and the cyclical nature of life.

Themes:

• Intergenerational Communication: The core theme is the vital importance of dialogue and mutual understanding between different generations.
• Passing on Wisdom: The responsibility of older generations to share their knowledge and experiences.
• Learning from the Past: Acknowledging history, both good and bad, to inform the present and future.
• Individual Growth and Self-Discovery: Encouraging younger generations to find their own identity after learning from those who came before.
• Hope for the Future: An optimistic outlook that understanding and wisdom can lead to a better world.

Unlike protest songs of the era, “Teach Your Children” offers a message of bridge-building and shared responsibility for the future.

Legacy and impact:

• Grammy Nomination: Nominated for a Grammy Award, recognizing its songwriting and performance quality.
• Iconic Anthem: Became one of CSNY’s most beloved and recognized songs, defining their harmonious folk-rock sound.
• Cultural Significance: Its message of intergenerational understanding resonated deeply during a time of significant cultural and generational divides (the late 1960s/early 1970s).
• Enduring Popularity: Remains a staple on classic rock and folk radio, often played at graduations and family events.
• Harmony Standard: Cited as a prime example of the band’s legendary vocal harmony capabilities, which heavily influenced subsequent folk and rock acts.

“Teach Your Children” is more than just a song; it’s a gentle yet powerful plea for connection, wisdom, and continuity in a rapidly changing world.

Final thoughts: “Teach Your Children” is a truly beautiful and profoundly moving song. Graham Nash’s songwriting is heartfelt and direct, and the signature harmonies of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young lift the message to an almost spiritual level. Stephen Stills’ pedal steel guitar adds a layer of tender melancholia that perfectly complements the lyrics. It’s a song that speaks to the timeless human need for guidance and connection, reminding us of the importance of both learning from our past and nurturing the future. Its quiet wisdom and exquisite beauty ensure its place as an enduring classic.

Video

Lyrics

 

“Teach Your Children”

You, who are on the road
Must have a code
That you can live by
And so become yourself
Because the past is just a goodbyeTeach your children well
Their father’s hell
Did slowly go by
And feed them on your dreams
The one they pick’s
The one you’ll know by

Don’t you ever ask them, “Why?”
If they told you, you would cry
So, just look at them and sigh
And know they love you

And you of tender years (Can you hear and do you care)
Can’t know the fears (And can you see)
That your elders grew by (We must be free)
And so please help (To teach your children)
Them with your youth (What you believe in)
They seek the truth (Make a world)
Before they can die (That we can live in)

Teach your parents well
Their children’s hell
Will slowly go by
And feed them on your dreams
The one they pick’s
The one you’ll know by

Don’t you ever ask them, “Why?”
If they told you, you would cry
So, just look at them and sigh
And know they love you