Would he spend another year upon that shelf.

His old hair was a’fading now

And his ribbons turnin’ yellow somehow

As he sat all alone on that shelf

When I first saw him, I swear I saw him smile

As I took that teddy-bear from off the shelf

Though my pockets are kindda’ empty now

Still I knew somehow

I had to that teddy-bear home.

So I walked up to the counter, reached in my pocket

Pulled out my last five dollar bill

As I paid and I thanked the man

With teddy-bear still in hand

I stuffed him in my coat and headed home.

Now I’m walking up my driveway, I see her standin’

By the window just starin’ at the sky

And I heard her holler "Daddy’s home"

As I walked through the doorway

She threw her arms around me and she smiled

"Daddy do you think that Santa Clause might come now"

"Even though the money’s hard to find"

"Well I guess I better get to bed"

"Cause Daddy you always said"

"Santa won’t come if I’m still up"

So she kissed her Mom and brushed her teeth

Slipped between the sheets

As I tucked her in she said "Daddy I love you"

Then she turned her little head away

Still I could hear her pray "Santa, just one gift will do!"

Well it’s five in the mornin’, she stumbles in my bedroom

With shining eyes as bright as they could be

And I heard her softly whisper

"Daddy are you sleeping?"

"Or can you come out here with me and see"

She walked straight to that teddy

Threw her arms around him

As happy as a little girl could be

Then I heard her softly whisper "all my prayers came true"

"Cause Daddy look what Santa brought for you!"

"Now I know that someone was listenin’"

"To make my dreams come true"

"Cause Santa brought this Teddy-Bear for You"

"I Love You Daddy"

© 1996