2026 Competition Entry:
Go Their Own Way by Cath Harney
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- 2 Comments
Lyrics
Blessed by the gift of a child
Life would be filled with love and care
Our melted hearts enraptured by that tiny little being
All around us seemed perfection everywhere
So Serene and filled with wonder everyday
Our family was thriving so they say
Every milestone covered & to school a path you made
No longer just our bundle from this day
Chorus
A child is yours to teach, but not for you to keep
A child will one day go their own way
We fear what will become, when they’re on their own
Not listening to a word that we say
They’ll go their own way go their own way go their own way
Temptation knocked his door too many times
He succumbed to all the potions he could find
His glowing hopes were shattered with each night out on the town
The company he kept just brought him down
First they saw the marks left on his arms
The hollows on his face a sign of harm
A chasm now between them he refused their helping hands
They can only watch him slip away
Chorus
A child is yours to teach, but not for you to keep
A child will one day go their own way
We fear what will become, when they’re on their own
Not listening to a word that we say
They’ll go their own way go their own way go their own way
Bridge
All the times you could have given up or given in
But you keep holding on, your love so strong, for the child in your heart
They’ll go their own way, go their own way, go their
own way
Life would be filled with love and care
Our melted hearts enraptured by that tiny little being
All around us seemed perfection everywhere
So Serene and filled with wonder everyday
Our family was thriving so they say
Every milestone covered & to school a path you made
No longer just our bundle from this day
Chorus
A child is yours to teach, but not for you to keep
A child will one day go their own way
We fear what will become, when they’re on their own
Not listening to a word that we say
They’ll go their own way go their own way go their own way
Temptation knocked his door too many times
He succumbed to all the potions he could find
His glowing hopes were shattered with each night out on the town
The company he kept just brought him down
First they saw the marks left on his arms
The hollows on his face a sign of harm
A chasm now between them he refused their helping hands
They can only watch him slip away
Chorus
A child is yours to teach, but not for you to keep
A child will one day go their own way
We fear what will become, when they’re on their own
Not listening to a word that we say
They’ll go their own way go their own way go their own way
Bridge
All the times you could have given up or given in
But you keep holding on, your love so strong, for the child in your heart
They’ll go their own way, go their own way, go their
own way
Author
Bio
Cath Harney is a West Yorkshire-based singer‑songwriter and performer whose warm vocals and thoughtful lyrics have found a cherished place in the local folk and acoustic music scene.
Musical Journey
Solo & duo artistry: Cath performs under her own name, with her band and also as one‑half of the acclaimed duo Mockingbirds, alongside Pam Johnson. They’ve been writing, harmonising, and performing together for over eight years, weaving folk, country, bluegrass, and pop into their unique sound
Community and workshop leadership
Beyond performance, Cath spent more than a decade leading songwriting workshops for individuals with long‑term mental health challenges, using music to rebuild confidence and self‑esteem . She also runs a community based ukulele group
Cath’s music shines a light on both intimate reflections and community stories, blending personal songwriting with meaningful outreach. A constant in the regional folk scene, she champions local narratives through song—and uplifts others through creativity.
Musical Journey
Solo & duo artistry: Cath performs under her own name, with her band and also as one‑half of the acclaimed duo Mockingbirds, alongside Pam Johnson. They’ve been writing, harmonising, and performing together for over eight years, weaving folk, country, bluegrass, and pop into their unique sound
Community and workshop leadership
Beyond performance, Cath spent more than a decade leading songwriting workshops for individuals with long‑term mental health challenges, using music to rebuild confidence and self‑esteem . She also runs a community based ukulele group
Cath’s music shines a light on both intimate reflections and community stories, blending personal songwriting with meaningful outreach. A constant in the regional folk scene, she champions local narratives through song—and uplifts others through creativity.
Leave a comment
Cath,
This is very beautiful, sad and I guess reality as life and the World takes over – as I read it I see and hear my three children growing up as we, as parents, did all those things and hoped and 🙏 for their future and now I do the very same thing for my Grandchildren 👍
Thanks so much Terry. It’s a terrifying world.