[Verse 1] Papa used to tell me, "Boy, learn it once, teach it twice" Tie your own shoes right, then help your little ones rise He had rough hands, but the love was clean Fixed every broke thing with a prayer and a dream He said, "Keep your word when the day gets long" "Be the calm in the room when the world feels wrong" [Pre-Chorus] Now I hear his voice when my babies call Every little lesson standing tall, standing tall What he gave to me I give to my sons Same old wisdom new day, new sun [Chorus] Papa told me, papa told me Pass it on, pass it on Papa told me, papa told me What he learned is going on From his hands to mine to the boys I raise Papa told me, papa told me We keep it going all our days (Papa told me) [Verse 2] Sunday on the porch with a dented chair He'd cut up the truth like he cut that air "Say sorry quick and mean what you say" "Work with your back then make room to play" Now my oldest laughs when I show him how To hold that hammer right and keep a steady brow My youngest watches close every move I make I see my father there in the steps they take [Pre-Chorus] Now I hear his voice when my babies call Every little lesson standing tall, standing tall What he gave to me I give to my sons Same old wisdom new day, new sun [Chorus] Papa told me, papa told me Pass it on, pass it on Papa told me, papa told me What he learned is going on From his hands to mine to the boys I raise Papa told me, papa told me We keep it going all our days (Papa told me) [Bridge] I was young and hungry trying to find my way Now I'm the one who got something to say If I build it right they can build it too Three generations strong in the things we do [Final Chorus] Papa told me, papa told me Pass it on, pass it on Papa told me, papa told me What he learned is going on From his hands to mine to the boys I raise Papa told me, papa told me We keep it going all our days (Papa told me)
