The song is from his father's point of view, and tells Ian to look on the bright side of life ("If you wait then your plate I will fill", "We will meet in the sweet light of dawn") despite life's struggle ("don't you squeal as the heel Grinds you under the wheels") because life is too short ("But the tune ends too soon for us all").
The song is about Ian's father passing
The song is from his father's point of view, and tells Ian to look on the bright side of life ("If you wait then your plate I will fill", "We will meet in the sweet light of dawn") despite life's struggle ("don't you squeal as the heel Grinds you under the wheels") because life is too short ("But the tune ends too soon for us all").