New Update -Thanks Dad- With Music

Human fathers may or may not get cards, presents and prayers of thanks today but let's not forget the spectacular array and diversity of other Dad's in nature to give thanks to. Seahorses are among the only animal species on Earth in which the male bears the unborn young. More here.
Congrats to this Dad of the monkey world here. 
Other candidates for the award are the Anemone Clownfish who might be eligible to celebrate Father’s Day this year and Mother’s Day next year. More from here.

Click here for a round up of eight animal Dad videos.

and National Geographic has a line up of animal Dad's from here.

and this is a great prayer for all human Dads from Fr Austin Fleming here.

and not forgetting St Joseph and all foster fathers here are links to a couple of my past posts .

Click for a 2010 post here and Click here for a 2012 one written for St Joseph's Day. 

Update : I've added a couple of great songs about fathers and maybe the first one has something to say about patriarchy too!

 Mike and The Mechanics 
The Living Years




 Lyrics
 Every generation
Blames the one before
And all of their frustrations
Come beating on your door

I know that I'm a prisoner
To all my father held so dear
I know that I'm a hostage
To all his hopes and fears
I just wish I could have told him
In the living years

Crumpled bits of paper
Filled with imperfect thought
Stilted conversations
I'm afraid that's all we've got

You say you just don't see it
He says it's perfect sense
You just can't get agreement
In this present tense
We all talk a different language
Talking in defence

Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye

So we open up a quarrel
Between the present and the past
We only sacrifice the future
It's the bitterness that lasts

So don't yield to the fortunes
You sometimes see as fate
It may have a new perspective
On a different day
And if you don't give up,
And don't give in
You may just be OK

Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye

I wasn't there that morning
When my father passed away
I didn't get to tell him
All the things I had to say.
I think I caught his spirit
Later that same year
I'm sure I heard his echo
In my baby's new born tears
I just wish I could have told him
In the living years

Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye

Some comments on meaning of lyrics here 

Eric Clapton

My Father's Eyes

Lyrics

Sailing down behind the sun,
Waiting for my prince to come.
Praying for the healing rain
To restore my soul again.
Just a toe rag on the run.
How did I get here?
What have I done?
When will all my hopes arise?
How will I know him?
When I look in my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.
When I look in my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.
Then the light begins to shine
And I hear those ancient lullabies.
And as I watch this seedling grow,
Feel my heart start to overflow.
Where do I find the words to say?
How do I teach him?
What do we play?
Bit by bit, I've realized
That's when I need them,
That's when I need my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.
That's when I need my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.
Then the jagged edge appears
Through the distant clouds of tears.
I'm like a bridge that was washed away;
My foundations were made of clay.
As my soul slides down to die.
How could I lose him?
What did I try?
Bit by bit, I've realized
That he was here with me;
I looked into my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.
I looked into my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.
My father's eyes.
My father's eyes.
I looked into my father's eyes.
My father's eyes. 

Some comments on possible meanings of lyrics here