[Intro]
It took me all these years
to call you Dad.
[Verse 1]
I was that little boy,
you were my hero, Dad.
I only wanted time with you,
the kind I never had.
I knew the sound of your key,
the fear before you came.
It's strange to fear the one you need
and love him just the same.
[Pre-Chorus]
You used to tell me,
“When you're older,
you'll understand.”
But I didn't need an answer,
I just needed your hand.
I didn't want to understand...
I wanted you, Dad.
[Chorus]
Now that I'm older,
I understand, Dad.
Now that I'm older,
it hurts so bad.
All I ever wanted
was the love we never had.
Now that I'm older,
I can love you, Dad.
I can love you,
I can love you,
Dad.
[Verse 2]
One Saturday I scored that goal,
then searched the crowd for Dad.
You nodded once, that was enough,
the best feeling I had.
A child doesn't need that much,
just someone standing near.
One little look that says,
“I see you.
I'm here.”
And for a moment,
I was everything I wanted to be.
Because you saw me,
Dad.
[Chorus]
Now that I'm older,
I understand, Dad.
Now that I'm older,
it hurts so bad.
All I ever wanted
was the love we never had.
Now that I'm older,
I can love you, Dad.
I can love you,
I can love you,
Dad.
[Bridge - stripped]
Then I had children of my own,
and something changed in me.
I saw the boy inside of you,
the man I couldn't see.
I saw your fear,
I saw your scars,
the fights you never won.
Forgiving doesn't change the past,
it only lets it run.
It doesn't make the hurting right,
or give us back what we had.
It only frees the little boy
still waiting for his dad.
[Final Chorus]
Now that I'm older,
I understand, Dad.
Now that I'm older,
I don't look back mad.
All I ever wanted
was the love we never had.
Now that I'm older,
I can let you go, Dad.
I can love you,
I forgive you,
I can let you go,
Dad.
[Outro]
You always told me,
“When you're older,
you'll understand.”
You were right,
Dad.
And if there's another life,
come find me where I stand.
This time there'll be no years to lose,
no fear we have to hide.
Just you and me,
a little time...
and one more game outside.