Every day my papa would work
To try to make ends meet
To see that we would eat
Keep those shoes upon my feet
Every night my papa would take me
And tuck me in my bed
Kiss me on my head
After all my prayers were said
There were years
Of sadness and of tears
But through it all
Together we were strong
Times were rough
But Papa, he was tough
And mama stood beside him all along
Growing up with them was easy
The time just flew on by
The years began to fly
Though they aged and so did I
I could tell
That mama wasn't well
Papa knew
And deep down so did she
When she died
Papa broke down and cried
And all he said was:
"God, why her? Take me!"
Everyday he sat there sleeping
In his rocking chair
He never went upstairs
All because she wasn't there
Then one day he said:
"My Son, I'm proud the way you've grown"
"Go out there on your own.
I'll be allright alone."
"There are things that you must do,
Places you must see"
His eyes were sad as he
Said goodbye to me
Every time I kiss my children
Papa's words ring true
"Your children live through you.
They'll grow and leave you, too"
I remember every word
Papa used to say
I see my kids and pray
They'd think of me that way