Love Without End, Amen

I got sent home from school one day with a shiner on my eye
Fightin’ was against the rules, and it didn’t matter why
When Dad got home I told that story just like I’d rehearsed
Then stood there on those tremblin’ knees and waited for the worst

And he said “Let me tell you a secret
About a father’s love,
A secret that my daddy said was just between us.”
He said, “Daddies don’t just love their children every now and then,
It’s a love without end, Amen.
It’s a love without end, Amen.”

When I became a father in the spring of ‘81
There was no doubt that stubborn boy was just like my father’s son
And when I thought my patience had been tested to the end
I took my daddy’s secret and passed it on to him

I said “Let me tell you a secret
About a father’s love,
A secret that my daddy said was just between us.”
I said, “Daddies don’t just love their children every now and then,
It’s a love without end, Amen.
It’s a love without end, Amen.”

Last night I dreamed I’d died and stood outside those pearly gates
When suddenly I realized there must be some mistake
If they know half the things I’ve done, they’ll never let me in
Then somewhere from the other side, I heard these words again

And They said “Let me tell you a secret
About a Father’s love,
A secret that my Daddy said was just between us.
You see, daddies don’t just love their children every now and then,
It’s a love without end, Amen.
It’s a love without end, Amen.”