You can only do your part

The following is my adaptation of a song by Dorothy Newton Odulate, which I sang to my parents in front of the entire Brüderhof before leaving for good at the age of 15.

Hey man, you son will be alright!
The night is past and he must seek the light.
Think awhile and see what you have gained,
And know that your son, too, must suffer pain.

So don't keep him to your heart,
'Cause you can only do your part.
And don't take it much too hard,
'Cause you can only do your part.

Hey man, your son will be okay!
You cannot hold him, he must fly away.
Your friends are here, so you won't feel alone.
It's time for your son to be on his own.

So don't keep him to your heart,
'Cause you can only do your part.
And don't take it much too hard,
'Cause you can only do your part.

Hey man, your parting has drawn nigh.
He'll be back, so please try not to cry.
When he returns, he'll be a different man,
He'll find a way to follow in God's Plan.

So don't keep him to your heart,
'Cause you can only do your part.
And don't take it much too hard,
'Cause you can only do your part.

Hey man, your duty is complete.
He's left your life; your ways would never meet.
You've done your part, now he must carry on.
So don't wish you had him back when he's gone.

And don't keep him to your heart,
'Cause you can only do your part.
No don't take it much too hard,
'Cause you can only do your part.