[Verse 1]
I folded white lace by the window
Ten years old, you slipped away
Now I’m here with my hands full of lilacs
And your old watch on my tray
Mama said, "He’d be so proud of you, honey"
I said, "I know," but I don’t know how
I’m standing in a room full of waiting
And I miss you more than ever now
[Pre-Chorus]
There’s a dress hanging over my heart
And a boy with a ring and a prayer
But all I can see in the mirror
Is the space where you should be there
[Chorus]
Daddy, I wish you were here
To give me away
I’d hold back the tears
If you walked me today
Daddy, I wish you were here
Just one last time
To kiss my cheek
And say, "She’s mine"
[Verse 2]
I still hear your laugh in the hailstorm
On that old tin roof in July
And the way you’d spin me in work boots
Till I begged you not to make me cry
Now I’ve got your hands in my memory
In the way that I hold my own
I’m grown up in a lace dress, Daddy
But I still feel ten years old
[Pre-Chorus]
There’s a road full of roses and families
And a chapel all ready to glow
I kept saving this moment for you
Like a promise I couldn’t let go
[Chorus]
Daddy, I wish you were here
To give me away
I’d hold back the tears
If you walked me today
Daddy, I wish you were here
Just one last time
To kiss my cheek
And say, "She’s mine"
[Bridge]
I know the hurt got too heavy
And you couldn’t find your way
I’ve spent half my life forgiving
What I still can’t bear to say
So I’ll leave a chair by the aisle
And a place in the light for you
When I say, "I do," I’ll be saying
I’m still your little girl, too
[Chorus]
Daddy, I wish you were here
To give me away
I’d hold back the tears
If you walked me today
Daddy, I wish you were here
Just one last time
To kiss my cheek
And say, "She’s mine"
[Outro]
So I’ll walk slow, with your love in me
Down that long white line
And I’ll carry you with me, Daddy
Every step, every time