nine years past you left me
lone miracle of mine
cruel fate took my life away
when you were but age nine
too far west you traveled
swept up by your mother
she burnt her bridges here
ran off to wed another
my crest suddenly fallen
I became a broken man
knocked over with a feather
through my memories I ran
our last time together
all our tears did flow
our hearts had sunk in abyss
you didn't want to go
you cried for your daddy
as your daddy cried for you
we tried to cling together
as we feared our lives were through
without you my life tumbled
for all my strength was gone
without my darling baby
no reason to go on
through years the pain has lingered
never once was there relief
I found I must embrace it
for our lives to have belief
and now you are a woman
eighteen, brave and strong
coming back to live with me
again we'll share our song
so fathers, hold your children
every chance you get
for life is surely fleeting
may you have one less regret