HERE & GONE (my father's ghost)

I wrote this maybe 20 years ago. It's about being haunted, but, in a nice way. He was known to all as Wally, being a contraction of his original Swedish Surname,
These are the lyrics, and my words, as true now as when I wrote it, maybe 25 years ago:.
There’s a ghost that haunts my days - in a look, a gesture - oh - a hundred ways
A brooding soul who dogs me still - from the pool of despair to the high of the hill
This was the man - when I was a child - with his piercing blue eyes - accusing and wild & strong brown hands - missing two fingers
Oh good lord - how his memory lingers
Here and Gone, Here and gone - Wally's still here 'though he's long gone
Let him go, or let him stay - It doesn't matter anytime or - anyway
Each day was a battle, every one - for that jealous man - who wouldn't call me son
to get his approval - I'd work and I'd fight - and he'd say not a word - but he'd cry in the night
(He said) "Faith, hope and charity: they're the needs of the weak - and love is a weakness so don’t ever speak”
“Never say sorry - it's shame, it's a crime” - and a child never cries, or needs help..... or time"
So let him go, let him stay - It prob'ly doesn't matter anyway
Who's to say, who's to tell - Wally's gone to heaven, or to hell
But the man grew old - and his body grew frail - his mind was confused, and his memory fail
And came there a time when he needed the hand - of the foolish child who'd become a man
And a bond it grew after stretching for years - between two men’s hearts both salted with tears
The old man died - but I'll never forget - he called for his “son” - it was ...the best ..... gift ...... yet
So who’s to say, who's to tell - Wally's gone to heaven, or to hell
Let him go, or let him stay - It doesn't matter anytime or anyway
The old man now is many years gone - but the son still feels him and the feeling’s so strong
The fears, and anger - the jealous rage - and the painful secrets - of another age
He did his best the only way he knew - knowing all who you love will be taken from you
He’s gone and dead but lives on in the head, and the heart of the son who carries his thread .......
And the ache in his back, the pain in his hands, his laugh, his words and his fears and plans
They belong to his father - but now -------------- he understands
Here and Gone, Here and gone - Wally's still here 'though he's long gone
Let him go, or let him stay - It doesn't matter anytime or - anyway.