Dad to Daughter - Don't Go Too Far Away

I've written several songs about my darling daughter over the years.
The one I find myself humming late into the evening these days is, "Don't Run Too Far."
Wrote it one lovely day when she was a toddler. We had so much fun at that age, and everything was new.
But even then I knew a time would come when she would move on from our home and our family of three.
She's ready now. A bright, shining light in this world - full of love and joy and kindness - just as capable with an apple pie recipe as she is on the golf course or snorkeling a coral reef, and of course playing the piano with me at church.
The world is better for having her. Her world is better for having found her husband-to-be, the son we never had.
Our world is complete for having them both in our now family of four.

Little girl, remember the unconditional love we've always shared - from here to the stars, no matter what - and I know there is even more to see and do, just,
Not too far away...

Don't Run Too Far (lyrics)

Baby, don’t run too far away
Stay where I can see you, let me watch you play
You can go off some other day
Baby don’t run too far away
Baby don’t run – too far…

Better not go up those steps all alone
Let’s sit down here while I’m talkin on the phone
You’re so small and its such a big old home
You've got to be careful, when you’re on your own
Careful – where you roam…

Let’s get out of the kitchen we might break that jar
Snuggle over here and strum your daddy’s guitar
I’ll change the chords and you can hum a few bars
With those looks and that talent, they’ll want to make you a star!

We can go outside now, but be sure to stay close to me
No need to go in the street – there's not much there to see
Lots to do in our own yard, toss a ball or just run
If you’re laughing that much, I know we must both be having fun...

It’s a sleepy little girl that will let me rock her in my chair
Tug at your ear, hold on tight to your bear
I'll read you a story if you've got some secrets to share
And then those eyes get so heavy, and you're drifting off somewhere...

It’s a feeling I know, deep down inside my heart,
I’m sad and lonely thinking ‘bout a day when we must part
A someday that comes for your own life to start
When you won’t need to hold onto your daddy in the dark…

So,
Baby, don’t run too far away
Stay where I can see you, let me watch you play
You can go off some other day
Baby don’t run too far away
Baby don’t run – too far…

 Copyright 1987

Lord, Make Us One

Almost 30 years ago I wrote a song for my soon-to-be-bride and then sang it as she walked down the aisle.
This Fall, the vocalist at our church will sing it before my daughter's wedding.

I still call my wife Bride, and she still calls me Groom.
The love of Jesus still makes the two of us One.

Lord, Make Us One (lyrics)

We have waited all our lives
For this person, who would realize
All of the joy we’ve held inside

And we walked down many roads alone
Until this gift of love was shown
Now we’ll walk into the life He’s made

He has made this day with all its blessings
Brought an end to second guessing
Now we’ll seal His bond with golden bands

Its golden bands and holding hands
With this person who is your best friend
Moments only we will understand

Understand all the gifts we have and
The richness which will always last
Understand what I feel when I see you

I see you in me and me in you
Promises forever true
Made before the Lord because we know:

With Him we are three as one
By Him will our work be done
For Him have our lives together come

Lord, make us one… together,
You and I... forever
You and I, no one can sever now…

What the Lord has smiled upon today,
You and I are on our way
You and I at last begin today...we’re on our way.

 Copyright 1981

What do you believe?