The song is most likely about John Lennon, and his early life and troubles. Let's assert the lyrics.
Ted is John. The "Teddy Boy" is probably referring to the Teddy fashion that was popular when John was young.
John was very respectful to his mother Julia, so when she said to "Be good," then of course, he would.
The "soldier dad" is his father Alf, who left John and Julia when John was only 5. This kind of memory would make any mother sad.
The chorus is John conforting his mother.
After Alf left, Julia started seeing a man named John Dykins. They were married, and John was sent away to Julia's sister, Mimi. While this isn't exactly "running far away," I think that part of the song represents this part of John's life.
The final part of the song is John's memories of his mother, and how she still was with him, even after her tragic death by a car accident in 1958.
The song is very touching andsad if you think about it this way.
The song is most likely about John Lennon, and his early life and troubles. Let's assert the lyrics.
Ted is John. The "Teddy Boy" is probably referring to the Teddy fashion that was popular when John was young. John was very respectful to his mother Julia, so when she said to "Be good," then of course, he would. The "soldier dad" is his father Alf, who left John and Julia when John was only 5. This kind of memory would make any mother sad. The chorus is John conforting his mother. After Alf left, Julia started seeing a man named John Dykins. They were married, and John was sent away to Julia's sister, Mimi. While this isn't exactly "running far away," I think that part of the song represents this part of John's life. The final part of the song is John's memories of his mother, and how she still was with him, even after her tragic death by a car accident in 1958.
The song is very touching andsad if you think about it this way.