Dance with My Father ~ Luther Vandross

Back when I was a child, 

before life removed all the innocence

My father would lift me high 

and dance with my mother and me and then

Spin me around �til I fell asleep

Then up the stairs he would carry me

And I knew for sure I was loved

If I could get another chance, another walk, 

another dance with him

I�d play a song that would never, ever end

How I�d love, love, love

To dance with my father again

When I and my mother would disagree

To get my way, I would run from her to him

He�d make me laugh just to comfort me

Then finally make me do just what my mama said

Later that night when I was asleep

He left a dollar under my sheet

Never dreamed that he would be gone from me

If I could steal one final glance, one final step, 

one final dance with him

I�d play a song that would never, ever end

�Cause I�d love, love, love

To dance with my father again

Sometimes I�d listen outside her door

And I�d hear how my mother cried for him

I pray for her even more than me

I pray for her even more than me

I know I�m praying for much too much

But could you send back the only man she loved

I know you don�t do it usually

But dear Lord she�s dying

To dance with my father again

Every night I fall asleep and this is all I ever dream

Papa ~ Paul Anka

Everyday 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 the prayers were said

And there were years

Of sadness and of tears

Through it all

Together we were strong

We were strong

Times were rough

But Papa he was tough

Mama stood beside him all along

Growing up with them was easy

The time had flew on by

The years began to fly

They aged and so did I

And I could tell

That mama she wasn't well

Papa knew and deep down so did she

So did she

When she died

Papa broke down and he cried

And all he could say was, "God, why her? Take me!"

Everyday he sat there sleeping in a walking chair

He never went upstais

All Because she wasn't there

Then one day my Papa said,

"Son, I'm proud of how you've grown"

He said, "Go out and make it on your own.

Don't worry. I'm O.K. alone."

He said, "There are things that you must do"

He said, "There's places you must see"

And his eyes were sad as he

As he said goodbye to me

Every time I kiss my children

Papa's words ring true

He said, "Children live through you.

Let them grow! They'll leave you, too"

I remember every word Papa used to say

I kiss my kids and pray

That they'll think of me

Oh how I pray

They will think of me

That way

Someday