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



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 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 those words again



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"