Fifteen years ago today
He wouldn’t shake my hand
He said, “You’re not my Daddy”
And I said, “I understand”
He thought awhile, then looked at me
And then he turned away
But he said, “If you love my Mommy
Then I guess you’ll be okay”
Though I’m not the one he means when he talks about his Dad
I’m the one who tried to give him things I never had
I helped him fight his battles, and I cheered him when he won
He may not call me Dad
But he’ll always be my son
It truly seems like yesterday
Playing tennis in the park
Those great talks about nothing
As we’d walk home in the dark
But the years went on, and I can’t forget
The awful fights we have
When you’d say – don’t tell me what to do
Because you really aren’t my Dad
Chorus
And it was only just this morning
That he called me on the phone
To say he had a little boy
That he could call his own
When I got there, he was waiting
And I shook his trembling hand
He said, “It’s strange to be a Daddy”
And I said, “I understand”
He put the baby in my arms
Just like a prize I’d won
He said, “I want you to meet my dad,
Dad, this is my son”
And now I’m the one he means when he talks about his Dad
Because I’m the one who gave him things I never had
I helped him fight his battles, and I cheered him when he won
And now he calls me Dad
And now I call him… Son
Music by Jimmy Dunne
Lyrics by Jim Melko and L.B Fred
