The Bride's Dad

My ginger voice was raw with smoke

They hid their smiles when I stood and spoke

Some sunny lawn, some Saturday

A face was flushed when I went to sing

Wild Mountain Thyme

But I was crying before the second line

The strawberry stripes across my ruddy cheeks got 'em giggling

My eyes were red and wild and white

As I choked up over another line

For years and years I disappeared

Tonight I'm here and I'm giving my best

It's all I have, the grandkids laugh

My linen vest is yellow stained

And my teeth are chipped and my beard is gray

Your mother left, she's not impressed

The wedding guests are starting to get restless

And I think I have worn out my welcome

But I swear I caught you smile

From the corner of my eye

When they threw me off the stage

Oh, I know I saw you smiling

I swear I saw you smile

When they carried me away

Through the center of the crowd

On the corner of my eye

I swear I saw you smiling

You'll always be my darling sweetheart