Verse 1
I held you in my arms that day
Your tiny hand held mine
Your mother smiled through happy tears
As morning learned to shine
We never knew what lay ahead
Or who you’d grow into
We simply thanked the Lord above
For giving us you
Verse 2
You always asked the reason why
How everything was made
You’d take your little toys apart
Then mend the ones you’d played
Each answer opened one more door
Another dream in view
Life was gently shaping then
The man in you
Chorus
The measure of a man is found
In things we cannot see
Not wealth or fame or worldly praise
But quiet dignity
It’s written in the lives he lifts
The promises held true
The finest things a man can leave
Live on in you
Verse 3
The books became your faithful friends
The evenings long and late
You never chased the easy road
Or left your dreams to fate
The world applauded where you stood
For all that you could do
We simply smiled
We always knew
Verse 4
The years rolled on with greater dreams
Responsibilities grew
More people placed their trust in you
Believing you’d come through
The world may measure all you’ve built
By numbers, praise and gain
A father sees different thing
The goodness that remains
Verse 5
I walked before to light your way
When all the world was new
Then side by side through growing years
As many fathers do
Then slowly, almost silently
The seasons gently flew
One day you walked a little more
And I walked behind you
Verse 6
Life doesn’t always choose the roads
We hoped that it might take
Some journeys climb through open fields
Some lead beyond the gate
I couldn’t walk the road for you
That journey was your own
I simply stood beside the gate
Watching you go on
Verse 7
Fathers stand with quiet pride
As many fathers do
Looking back through all the years
To see what life made you
Not every choice was always right
Some lessons came through pain
Yet I’d walk that road
A thousand times again
Final Chorus
The measure of a man is found
Long after crowds have gone
In every quiet act of love
When no applause lives on
I walked before to light your way
Then proudly by your side
The day arrived without a sound
As quiet moments do
I stood beside the old gate
And watched the world find you
I’d choose that road thousand times
If it still led to you.
Lyrics Michael Forty
Voice Michael Forty