| She was a lovely girl, a charming brown-eyed beauty
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| You were the bright young man who swept her off her feet
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| The high school class ring soon became a wedding band
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| And you went off the sail the seas for Uncle Sam
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| But they say it was the demon in the bottle
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| That took you far away never to return
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| And you never knew you son would be my father
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| And now sometimes I think about you and I wonder
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| If I could talk to you what words would I choose
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| I would say I wish I could have know you
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| And I would say I wish you would have stayed
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| But most of all I would say I forgive you
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| I know your love was strong I read it in your letters
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| I read how hard you tried to break free from the chains
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| I know we all could say how you should have done better
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| And wear our anger and resentment like a fetter
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| But that’s why I would say this to you if I could
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| I would say I wish I could have know you
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| And I would say I wish you would have stayed
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| But most of all I would say I forgive you
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| I’d love to tell you how the lovely girl you married
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| She’s been my hero and a treasure to us all
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| I know you’d be proud of the way your name’s been carried
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| These are things I would love to tell you if I could
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| I would say I wish I could have know you
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| And I would say I wish you would have stayed
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| But most of all I would say I forgive you
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| I wish you were here to hear what I would say |