soon after birth

a little beer or moon shine

what could it hurt

Just a little to ease the

teething pain

Beside's Grandpop

did it

So what could it hurt?

 

Years later you became my dad

to that little girls eyes

the best Dad

a girl ever had

 

You would bounce me on your knee

tease me calling me

your little "tenny wennie"

snuggle me up close

and say

you would never let me go

 

My Daddy was a drunk

but how's a child to know

He lied and cheated

ask anyone he know's

 

He cheated on Mom

and left her many time's

only to come home again

 leaving once again

when another "bun" was

in the oven

Yes, that's how he treated

my Mother

 

Seven children

she bore for him

always on the road

traveling from one state

to another

never happy to stay one place

I often wonder now

if it was because

someone had saw the real man

not just his handsome face

 

I was growing up with Gram's

and didn't always have you around

it was such a special treat

when we would get to meet

 

I never understood

 all the talk around

about how you was

 a worthless drunk

and fool

leaving your children all around

 

You hid in a bottle

at first

to help your pain

in this life

of rambling here and there

it was plain to see

 because your life

simply had no aim

 

He could write a country song

with the best of them

even did gospel

quite alot

Maybe, that's where

I got this writing that I've got

 

He could play and pick

and even sang too

He even met Jim Reeves

and they sang together

a time or two

Wanda Jackson too

if you can believe his tales

according to him

she sure was swell

 

He was a roofer by trade

all of five foot two

Maybe the booze made

him feel taller

I don't really know

if he can recall 

To most people

he was just Tony

a lying, cheating, stealing

drunk is all

 

Now he's old

his health is gone

children spread

clear to

ten buck two

not many has the time

for a man like you

and alcohol has taken its toll

Alot of things happened

throught the years

It broke the hearts of

one's you held so dear

It pulled us apart

and now I'm here
  trying to say through it all

Your still my Daddy

after it all

 

You've stopped drinking now

or so I'm told

even got some religion

through the years

I've prayed for this since

I was just a few years old

You live half way across the

United States

and I never ever see your face

 

Someday I'll see you again

may not be untill its time

to send him to his

Lord above

Just hope I see him again

when I reach heaven above

Lord, Please forgive him

and wrap him in your love

 

©2005 Tina Clark