[Verse 1]
Little girl on the bleachers
All these dads in the stands
Holdin' signs, takin' pictures
You were gone, I just had my hands
Folded tight in my hoodie
Tryna hold in every tear
Coach said "good job, kid"
But the one voice I wanted ain't here
Stared too long at the driveway
Waited up for your car lights
Mama said you weren't comin'
I grew ten years that night
Every birthday, one candle
Burns a hole in my chest
They say "time heals all things"
Guess time ain't done yet
[Chorus]
Everywhere I go, see a dad and his daughter
And it rips that wound, cuts deeper than it oughta
Smile on my face, but it's fake, yeah I caught her
Mirror show a kid tryna swim out this water
You were supposed to be here, holdin' my hand
Now it's me on my own, tryna learn how to stand
I see other girls safe in their dad's arms and
Something in me breaks, I don't understand
[Verse 2]
School play, empty seat
Kept my eyes on that row
Left side, third from the aisle
Where you promised you would go
Teacher said "parents, take pictures"
I just laughed, played it cool
"He's just workin'," I lied
Ran and cried in a bathroom stall
People say that you're watchin'
Angel wings in the sky
But it don't help on the nights
When I just need your advice
Who gon' teach me 'bout heartbreak
Who gon' scare off these boys
Who gon' check my first car
Who gon' clap at my joys (yeah)
[Chorus]
Everywhere I go, see a dad and his daughter
And it rips that wound, cuts deeper than it oughta
Smile on my face, but it's fake, yeah I caught her
Mirror show a kid tryna swim out this water
You were supposed to be here, holdin' my hand
Now it's me on my own, tryna learn how to stand
I see other girls safe in their dad's arms and
Something in me breaks, I don't understand
[Bridge]
Maybe that's why I'm tough now (tough now)
Talk loud, never back down (back down)
Walk proud, but when lights out
I'm that little girl missin' dad now (yeah)
If strength is what your love made (love made)
Then I'll carry it through each day (each day)
But some nights I just wanna say
It ain't fair that you went away
[Chorus]
Everywhere I go, see a dad and his daughter
And it rips that wound, cuts deeper than it oughta
Smile on my face, but it's fake, yeah I caught her
Mirror show a kid tryna swim out this water
You were supposed to be here, holdin' my hand
Now it's me on my own, tryna learn how to stand
I see other girls safe in their dad's arms and
Something in me breaks, you'd be proud who I am