Papa Jack
Wants to turn
Back the clock
And reach out
To the kids
He once had
Who have flown
Papa Jack
In decline
Feels inclined
To reach out
To the kids
He once had
Who have flown
But there was a time
When the kids reached up
And Papa Jack just
Pushed them away
Looking deep
In his heart
Papa Jack
Doesn't like
What he sees
Or the time
On his hands
The dying day
The chilly sun
Papa Jack
All alone
Sings slow
Grieving and low
But there was a time
When the kids reached up
Now you can't always
Have it your way
Papa Jack
Ah ...
Wants to turn
Back the clock
And reach out
To the kids
He once had
Who have flown
In decline
Feels inclined
To reach out
To the kids
He once had
Who have flown
When the kids reached up
And Papa Jack just
Pushed them away
In his heart
Papa Jack
Doesn't like
What he sees
Or the time
On his hands
The chilly sun
Papa Jack
All alone
Sings slow
Grieving and low
When the kids reached up
Now you can't always
Have it your way
Ah ...
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papa_Jack_Laine
It is possible the title of this song refers to a boxer called Jack Johnson. The American writer Joel Chandler Harris wrote a series of stories in the creole language Gullah, based around a character called Daddy Jack.
I wouldn't be surprised if this was about his own father "(who is named Peter, I think) supposedly ignoring him and his sister Jackie and then later wanting to come into contact again...
The beginning of the song reminds me of Bell Bottomed Tear by The beautiful South