I got sent home from school one day with a shiner on my eye.

Fightin' was against the rules and it didn't matter why.

When dad got home I told that story just like I'd rehearsed.

And then stood there on those tremblin' knees and waited for the worst.



Chorus:

And he said, "Let me tell you a secret about a father's love,

A secret that my daddy said was just between us."

He said, "Daddies don't just love their children every now and then.

It's a love without end, amen, it's a love without end, amen."



When I became a father in the spring of '81

There was no doubt that stubborn boy was just like my father's son.

And when I thought my patience had been tested to the end,

I took my daddy's secret and I passed it on to him.



Repeat Chorus:



Last night I dreamed I died and stood outside those pearly gates.

When suddenly I realized there must be some mistake.

If they know half the things I've done, they'll never let me in.

And then somewhere from the other side I heard these words again.



Repeat Chorus


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