[Verse 1]
Your old man, he spared his love, but not the rod
I can almost see it written in the way you hang your head
He taught you there's no reason to believe in God
Who needs another father when they scare you half to death?
Oh, you didn't know any different
Oh, but anyone could see
It's not the way it was supposed to be
[Chorus]
I wish you had a dad like mine
One who cared about being there
More than being right
Someone to believe in you when your belief was dyin'
I wish you had a dad like mine
[Verse 2]
He handed you a burden that still weighs you down
I'd be lying if I told you I know how it feels
And the shadow of that sorrow follows you around
Even though the fruit has fallen so far from that tree
Oh, and I cannot imagine all the years you've spent
Hoping for the man he should have been
[Chorus]
I wish you had a dad like mine
One who cared about being there
More than being right
Someone to believe in you when your belief was dyin'
I wish you had a dad like mine
[Bridge]
I never had to fear the sound of stumbling in
I never had to cower from an angry fist
I never had to lie awake crying in bed
'Cause I never had to wait for a good night kiss
Never had to wait for it
[Verse 3]
Oh, you had such a hard time with him growing up
You swore that with your own kids, that's not how it's gonna be
Your old man never, he never really showed you love
Oh, he's a different father than the one you are to me
[Chorus]
I wish you had a dad like mine
One who cared about being there
More than being right
Someone to believe in you when your belief was dyin'
I wish you had a dad like mine
I wish you had a dad like mine