WHAT I COULDN’T TELL MY DADDY Bubba Patrick featuring Darlene [Intro — fingerpicked acoustic guitar and gentle piano] [Verse 1 — Bubba, male lead] We could talk about the Braves for half an hour, Or a pickup burning oil at sixty-five. He’d ask me if the tires were holding pressure, I’d ask him if his garden would survive. But underneath those ordinary questions, There was something I kept putting off. I’d wait until we nearly said goodbye, Then lose my nerve and let the moment stop. [Chorus — Bubba lead; Darlene, female harmony] What I couldn’t tell my daddy Would follow me back home. I’d say it to the windshield On that long ride alone. “Sometimes I needed you to listen, Even when you couldn’t make it right.” What I couldn’t tell my daddy Was what I came to say that night. [Verse 2 — Bubba] He was sorting through a coffee can of washers, Looking for a bolt to fit a chair. I said, “Daddy, can we leave that till tomorrow? There’s something I’ve been needing you to hear.” He set the can beside him on the workbench, Wiped his hands and turned around to me. I said, “I know we both remember things our own way. Could you hear me out before you disagree?” [Verse 3 — Bubba, quietly] “Sometimes I felt like I could only call you When I had something good I’d done to tell. And when my life got tangled up and ugly, I’d stay away and say that all was well. I’m responsible for choices I’ve been making, But I’m tired of keeping everything inside. I don’t need you to fix the years behind us. I’d like to know you better while there’s time.” [Chorus — Bubba lead; Darlene, female harmony] What I couldn’t tell my daddy Was finally being heard. My voice shook in the middle, But I stayed there with the words. “Sometimes I need for you to listen, Even when you cannot make it right.” What I couldn’t tell my daddy Was what I came to say that night. [Instrumental — tender harmonica over acoustic guitar] [Bridge — Darlene, female solo] He may need a little time to answer. You may need some time to speak again. [Bubba — male lead] Daddy said, “I don’t remember all of it that way.” I said, “I figured that might be the case.” We sat there for a while beside the workbench. Neither one of us got up and walked away. [Final Verse — Bubba] He asked me how I’d really been here lately. I told him things I’d usually leave out. He started with advice, then caught himself, Said, “Go ahead, son. Tell me what it’s about.” We didn’t put the past to rest that evening, And there’s still a lot we haven’t figured through. But when he called me up the following Sunday, He asked about the thing I’d told him, too. [Final Chorus — Bubba lead; Darlene, female harmony] What I couldn’t tell my daddy Ain’t all behind me yet. Some words still take a little courage, Some days we need to catch our breath. We’re learning how to hear each other, We don’t get it right each time. But I can leave his house with fewer Conversations in my mind. [Outro — Bubba, softly sung] He found that bolt before I left there, Held the chair while I screwed it tight. Said, “Will you be around next Sunday?” I said, “Daddy, I just might.” [End — acoustic guitar and piano]
