I got sent home from school one day with a shiner on my eye
Fighting was against the rules and it didn't matter why
When Dad got home I told that story just like I'd rehearsed
And then stood there on those trembling knees and waited for the worst

And 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 I 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."
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."

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
And then somewhere from the other side I heard these words again

And he 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."