(Verse 1) I held your hand when you were small, But I let you down, I dropped the ball. Too many nights I wasn't there, Too many words, just empty air. I made a promise in the dark, a solitary vow, To break a chain, to show you how. But echoes of what came before, Kicked down the door… I was the ghost I swore you'd never know. (Pre-Chorus) I built you walls when you needed doors, Gave you shadows instead of shores. But through the cracks, you found the light, And you learned to shine… God, you learned to shine so bright. (Chorus) Oh, my children, can’t you see? You grew up to be better than me. With stronger hearts and wiser minds, Leaving all my faults behind. You climbed the mountain in the rain, You found your way through all the pain. And everything you are, you did in spite of me, Yet you’re the greatest part of my story. (Verse 2) I taught you pride when I had none, Showed you fights I should have won. I tried to build a better man upon a shaky, fractured land. I hope you know, through all the strife, I was just doing my best in life. Yet you took the pain I gave, And turned it into kindness, brave. (Bridge) All the love I failed to show, Somehow, you still made it grow. You are my redemption every single day. Now I watch you walk ahead, With all these things I left unsaid. You took the fractured pieces, made them whole and bright. You are the proof I lost the fight, but you won the light. (Chorus) Oh, my children, can’t you see? You grew up to be better than me. With gentle hands and truer ways, Breaking cycles I couldn't face. You climbed the mountain in the rain, You found your way through all the pain. And everything you are, you did in spite of me, Yet you’re the greatest part of my story. (Outro) If love could turn back time, I’d rewrite every line. But since it can’t, I’ll just say… I am humbled by the sun. My pride in you is an ocean. You are my redemption… every day. In spite of me.
