Didn't I

There are times to remember

And times that I wish to forget

Our time together

Was tinged with love and regret

Oh, my girl

My sweet, sweet little girl

Didn't I try to tell ya

That life was for living, oh, didn't I?

And wasn't I the guy who said

Stay away from that tribe, oh, wasn't I?

And didn't I try to tell ya

That stuff's gonna kill ya, oh, didn't I?

But you thought it was cool

And I was just an old fool, oh, look at ya

You left home for the city

With Hollywood stars in your eyes

Now your mother, God bless her

Cries herself to sleep every night

Oh, my girl

My sweet, innocent girl

Didn't I search the streets

For the biggest pimps and cheats, oh, didn't I?

And didn't I try to guide ya

To a baptism of fire, oh, didn't I?

And didn't I try to warn ya

'Bout that folk in California, oh, didn't I?

But you said daddy, please, don't worry

I got friends out there who love me, now look at ya

Oh baby, come back home, we can work this out

There is no blame

I wanna hold you close and stroke your hair

And share your pain, yeah

Didn't I do the best for you

Try to make you stay in school, didn't I?

Once I was your hero

But I went from ten to zero, oh, didn't I?

For a roll on the dice

To really pay the ultimate price, oh, didn't ya?

Now I stand by your bedside

Watching you fight for your life (fight for your life)

Where's the innocence? (Where's the innocence?)

Where's the future? (Where is the future?)

Where's the beauty? (Beauty)

Where's the promise? (Where is the promise?)

There are times to remember

And times that I wish to forget