Her hand to mines

Lyrics

HER HAND IN MINE [Slow piano — soft acoustic guitar underneath] VERSE 1 I remember little footsteps running down the hall, Pink dress spinning circles in the middle of it all, She’d crawl up in my lap when the whole world felt too loud, And somehow that little girl could make a broken man feel proud. I taught her how to ride a bike, Taught her wrong from right, Held her through the nightmares And stayed beside her every night. I promised I’d protect her From every hurt I could find, Never thought the hardest thing I’d do Would be letting go of mine. PRE-CHORUS Now there’s flowers on the church doors, And her picture by the aisle, And I’m trying not to lose it When I see that little smile. CHORUS I’m giving you her hand tonight, But God knows I’m still holding on, To every bedtime kiss, every scraped-up knee, Every “Daddy, I need you” when something went wrong. I’m not losing my baby, I’m just learning where I stand, ‘Cause I’m not her number one anymore— I’m just the man Who gets to give her away With tears running down his face, And pray the man beside her Knows the treasure that he takes. BRIDGE 1 — piano alone And son, if you’re listening, I’m not trying to stand in your way, But she ain’t just somebody’s wife— She’s my little girl at the end of every day. So when she’s stubborn, hold her closer. When she’s hurting, don’t walk away. And when she says, “I’m fine,” You better know that’s usually when She needs you to stay. VERSE 2 I know she ain’t a little girl, I know she’s grown now, But I still see that ponytail When I look at her somehow. I remember teaching her to drive, Her hands shaking on the wheel, She said, “Daddy, don’t let go,” And I said, “Baby, you can do this— You’ve got more strength than you feel.” Now I’m standing at the altar, Trying hard to keep it straight, ’Cause the little hand I used to hold Is about to change its place. BRIDGE 2 — violin enters There’s gonna be mornings When she calls you before she calls me, And I’m gonna smile and tell myself That’s exactly how it’s supposed to be. ’Cause being her father Was never about keeping her close, It was raising her strong enough To someday let her go. CHORUS I’m giving you her hand tonight, But God knows I’m still holding on, To the little girl who used to believe Her daddy could fix whatever was wrong. I’m not losing my baby, I’m watching her become a wife, And every tear falling from my eyes Is proof she changed my life. BRIDGE 3 — harmonica, stripped down I wish I could freeze this moment, Put this night inside a frame, Go back to that little bedroom And hear her whisper my name. I’d tell that little girl, “Baby, don’t be scared of growing up. One day you’ll find somebody Who’s gonna love you enough To take the place beside you— But he’ll never take my place. Because nobody gets to be your daddy After your daddy gave you his name.” BRIDGE 4 — acoustic guitar, almost spoken And I’m gonna miss the phone calls When she needed me to come around. I’m gonna miss being the first one She looks for in a crowd. I’m gonna miss being her hero, But I guess that’s what fathers do— We spend our whole lives building wings Knowing one day they’ll carry you. FINAL CHORUS — full band, violin rising So I’m giving you her hand tonight, And I’m trying not to break, I’m handing over everything That a lifetime couldn’t take. She’s somebody’s wife now, But she’ll always be my child, And I’ll still be right behind her Every single mile. I’m not her number one anymore, And God, that truth cuts deep, But if loving her means stepping back, Then that’s a promise I can keep. So take her hand, son, And love her like I taught you to, ’Cause the greatest thing this father ever did Was raise a daughter strong enough To choose someone like you. BRIDGE 5 — piano + violin, very quiet And baby, before you walk away, Just turn around and look at me. You’ll always be the little girl That only your daddy gets to see. If life ever gets too heavy, If that world gets cold and mean, You don’t have to come back as my little girl— You can come back as my queen. OUTRO — harmonica fading So go on, baby girl… Take his hand. Build your home. Have your babies. Make the memories I taught you to make. And if someday your little girl Runs down the hallway screaming, “Daddy!” You’ll finally understand Why I’m crying tonight. I ain’t losing you… I’m just learning how to love you From a little farther away.