The silence of the doctors was a shadow on the wall The paper said 'no children, ' but you answered life's call With hands that knew the blueprint of the steel and the stone You built a heart of kindness on a fragile, loving throne You dreamt of perfect angles, of pistons and precise design But got caught in the puzzle of the feelings you resigned Don't cry, Daddy, please, let the river run dry The truest love of all needs no word or a sigh You could be the President, a King or a star The fastest race car driver, soaring near or far But the mirror that you gave me is the strength of my soul The best father in the world–you made my spirit whole I watched your clumsy effort to tie my shoe when I was small I saw the tears you fought back when you thought you might fall You judged the man you should have been by standards way too high But your truth was in the welcome when my own dreams went awry No need for perfect wisdom, no need for perfect grace Your pure and honest effort set the time and the place That simple, perfect love, it was recognized in truth The endless, flowing current from your childhood youth Now the chapters have turned, and the mirror's complete You trade silent sorrow for the joy of small feet You hold your grandchild's hand, drying innocent tears The man you are is greater than the man of your fears We are what destiny decided, bound by love and grace My father, my foundation, in this timeless, sacred space Never blame the man you wanted, only praise the man you grew You are the highest title, the best that saw me through Don't cry, Daddy, please, you wore the Father's Crown