Her folks were just getting by.
The money for bills had run dry.
Daddy quit his band to lend his final hand to provide the things we needed.
He never let on but I could see in his eyes that he had conceded.
As I grew older I asked him of the sacrifice he made.
What was the one thing that you wish you could trade.
And he said
I wouldn’t trade you for nothing, your brother too.
Your momma’s always been right beside me.
She’s my only truth.
But baby if there’s one thing in this world I couldn’t face.
Spread your wings and fly girl. Don’t play it safe.
As I was off to college, I remembered that phrase.
I knew what it meant but what did it mean to me.
In the classroom as I turned the page,
It all became clear to see.
His picture was in the book, a smile I’d never seen before,
And I saw his dreams flash by as I heard him say
And he said
I wouldn’t trade you for nothing, your brother too.
Your momma’s always been right beside me.
She’s my only truth.
But baby if there’s one thing in this world I couldn’t face.
Spread your wings and fly girl. Don’t play it safe.
I went to spread my wings and fly, to live out big hopes and dreams.
But turns out that wasn’t what I thought it would be.
There was something missing in me.
Daddy, I know you said spread your wings and fly.
But I just can’t do that because I met a guy.
Before he had a chance to say a word or two…I said daddy…..he’s just like you.
And he said
I wouldn’t trade you for nothing, your brother too.
Your momma’s always been right beside me.
She’s my only truth.
But baby if there’s one thing in this world I couldn’t face.
Spread your wings and fly girl. You didn’t play it safe
