Song Description
Unknowingly, this song has been years in the making.
Back when Nancy was pregnant with Mallory and we lived in an apartment in Chatsworth, CA. As the sun was rising, I would get in my Subaru hatchback (stick shift!) and as I drove to work I would pray to God. I was not a Christian yet, but had the following on my heart...
Dear God,
I pray that I will be a good dad.
Lord, I don't need a lot of money, but enough to provide for my family and to be able to take them on family trips.
God, we don't need a big house, but one my kids can grow up in.
Amen
I have discovered that this general prayer is common to men. Men pray, and when they do, it is usually about family.
So, Mallory was born and Kelsey soon after. The prayer remained. It was present during the growing years, the ups and downs, the financial stresses, the grinding years, and the teenage years. It was soon amended to pray for the husbands that would marry our daughters. Austin and Colton, we prayed for you when your wives were in diapers.
A time then comes when a hand-off occurs. When their dad is no longer the most important man in her life--still important, but this is when he (the hubs) takes that most important man role. A give her hand...(lovingly)
Now, with graying hair, I bounce the babies of my babies. And...the prayer is there. Lord, give us such a home. There is no greater blessing than to witness daughters' becoming mothers. To have them eagerly come back to our home. And for our home to be a place...a place...Where My Grandkids Play.
The song came about by wonderful collaboration with another Girl Dad, Stephen Petree. I am a bit of a songwriter, Stephen is a songmaker. He adds his dad's heart. Also, collaboration with an amazing mom and wife--Nancy. This prayer was unspoken by me for many years, but played out by way of her spirit and her love.
| Song Length |
3:38 |
Genre |
Folk - Americana |
Lyrics
The itsy-bitsy spider is up the garden spout
The wheels on the bus go round and round
That little star above so high, twinkles bright across the night
I brush your hair, you snuggle your teddy bear
kiss you on the head and I say a prayer
CHORUS 1
LORD, MAKE ME THE MAN
SHE CAN LOOK UP TO
MAKE ME THE DAD, YOU KNOW I CAN BE
LORD, GIVE US A HOME
SHE CAN COME BACK TO
MAKE IT A PLACE WHERE MY GRANDKIDS PLAY
ABC's 'N little girl dreams, prom dates and car keys
Sweet sixteen then engagement rings
The music plays, down the aisle, she holds my arm with a loving smile
I give her hand, I shed a tear
I Kiss her head, I say a prayer
2ND CHORUS
LORD, MAKE HIM THE MAN
SHE CAN LOOK UP TO
MAKE HIM THE DAD, YOU KNOW HE CAN BE
LORD, GIVE 'EM A HOME
THEIR KIDS GROW UP IN
AND MAKE IT A PLACE WHERE A FAMILY PRAYS
BRIDGE
The Years have slipped and away and turned my hair all grey
But I thank the Lord, and watch my grandkids play
3RD CHORUS
LORD, MAKE ME THE MAN
THEY CAN LOOK UP
MAKE ME THE DAD, YOU KNOW I CAN BE
LORD, GIVE US A HOME
THEY ALL CAN COME BACK TO
MAKE IT A PLACE WHERE MY GRANDKIDS PLAY
Tag
Oh, keep it a place where grandkids play
The itsy-bitsy spider is up the garden spout...
This track is on 3 Broadjam Top 10 Lists