[Verse 1] Teacher asked you during your preschool promotion What you wanted to be someday You said, “A babysitter and a daddy” Like there wasn’t much to explain I laughed about it driving home Then it hit me what you’d seen You thought being Dad meant staying close Taking care of what you need [Pre-Chorus] I won’t have every answer Lord knows I never had I’m still watching my Father Learning how to be your dad [Chorus] You don’t have to be tough with me You don’t gotta have it figured out You can bring me what you’re carrying Say what you can’t say out loud Feel whatever you gotta feel Then choose the man you’re gonna be Take the good I gave you Make it better coming through And you don’t have to be tough with me [Verse 2] World’ll tell you, “Boy, toughen up” Swallow hard and shake it off There’s a time to grit your teeth There’s a time to say you’re lost I’ve seen strong men carry things They should’ve laid down long ago So bring it here before you bury it You ain’t gotta carry it alone [Pre-Chorus] Being strong ain’t hiding hurt Or acting like you never bend I’ll always be your father I hope you’ll always call me friend [Chorus] You don’t have to be tough with me You don’t gotta have it figured out You can bring me what you’re carrying Say what you can’t say out loud Feel whatever you gotta feel Then choose the man you’re gonna be Take the good I gave you Make it better coming through And you don’t have to be tough with me [Bridge] There’ll be roads I can’t walk with you Places my hands can’t reach Someday you’ll learn your old man Was never all you’d need You were watching me I was watching Him He trusted me to hold your hand But you were His before mine To give His love some skin and bones For this little stretch of time And every time I tried to show you How a father’s love should feel I was learning from my Father How He’s raising both of us still [Final Chorus] So when your own boy comes to you Trying hard to hold it all inside Don’t just tell him, “Boy, toughen up” Pull a chair up by your side Let him feel whatever he feels Then teach him what strength can be Take the good that I gave you Make it better coming through And when you wonder if you’re enough Remember what I finally learned Those little hands you’re holding Were in His hands first I’ll always be your father Hope you’ll always call me friend You were watching me I was watching Him [Outro] I thought I was raising you Turns out I was growing too You were watching me I was watching Him
