Lyrics

[Verse 1]
E A E
Mamaw, I’ve been wonderin’ why it turned out this way
E B7 E
I gave my blood, I gave my time, but no one ever stayed
E A E
They talk like I was never there, like I ain’t done enough
E B7 E
But I held on through all their storms and never once gave up

[Verse 2]
E A E
Daddy lost his daddy, and he never found his voice
E B7 E
Mama packed her bags one night and left me with no choice
E A E
I grew up fast, I stood alone, no one to catch my fall
E B7 E
Just your hands and old advice to help me stand up tall

[Chorus]
A E
If I ever called him Paw, it must’ve been a dream
B7 E
Tryin’ to find a man I missed in every in-between
A E
He was gone before my eyes could ever see him draw
E B7 E
But I still feel him sometimes — in the quiet and the raw

[Verse 3]
E A E
You told me he was gentle, kind, and strong in every way
E B7 E
But no one told me why the love just seemed to fade away
E A E
I’m sorry, Maw, I never knew what truth they kept from me
E B7 E
I only had your words to build a man I’ll never be

[Chorus]
A E
If I ever called him Paw, it came out in my sleep
B7 E
From pieces of a past you tried so hard to keep
A E
He’s the shadow in my steps, the name I never saw
E B7 E
If I ever called him Paw… it’s ‘cause I needed him, that’s all

[Bridge]
C#m A E
I gave this family all I had, still feel I don’t belong
C#m A B7
But you loved me through the silence — you were right when they were wrong

[Final Chorus]
A E
If I ever called him Paw, it’s ‘cause your heart made him real
B7 E
Through every hurt, through every truth they tried so hard to seal
A E
He was gone, but you held on, and gave me what you saw
E B7 E
So if I ever called him Paw… it’s thanks to you, Maw

[Outro]
A B7