Lyrics:

With your memory swimming 'round my head
Though Daddy you're dead and gone
I'll sing you this song
Of all I should have said

'Let me tell you, Jonny
That you ain't worth nothing without money
And all the time you've been away
First turned to months and now years
You oughta by now have some kinda career'
Oh but Father, gladly
Dear Daddy
I'll Stay far away from you
How can I grow up tall
Don't mean to be cruel
When you always make me feel
But Daddy
I'm more than a fool
Inches small?

I was no more than a baby
When you told me, 'stop that cryin'
It's making me angry
And one day, well just maybe
When you grow up you'll learn to shut up
And fake a smile like your dad
Whenever you are sad'
But Father, sadly
Dear Daddy
I'll stay far away from you
No it's not true
Don't mean to be cruel
Because you see this son's love
No, Dear Daddy
Has always surrounded you

When the whole world seemed so unkind
When the words in the storybook no longer rhymed
And when the sun would refuse to shine
I'd run and hide in that secret place in my mind
Wipe the tears off my face
And there I'd find that for a moment
But for a moment
The shadow of your presence seemed to lift and fade away

When the whole world seemed so unkind
Father didn't you notice the rat race?
Were you never aware that the fear was written all over
Your face?
I guess you never knew your story was a blank page
But most of all dear Daddy
Did you ever notice me?

Oh Father
I never meant to be cruel
But farther
And farther away
I stayed from you
Though I've always loved you
I was the one to walk out that door
But Father your heart departed
Father your heart departed
Long, long before

Oh Father didn't you notice the rat race?
Were you never aware that the fear was written all over
Your face?
I guess you never knew your story was a blank page
But most of all, dear Daddy
Yes most of all, dear Daddy
Did you ever notice me?

So I'll hold to the happier times
The endless summer days at the beach
As you lifted me over the waves and held me so high
It was then that I could believe
I believed I could fly high!
Safe with my dad by my side
Wish you could know me now
We'd be great friends