There are times to remember
And times that I wish to forget
Our time together
Was tinged with love and regret
Oh, my girl
My sweet, sweet little girl
Didn't I try to tell ya
That life was for living, oh, didn't I?
And wasn't I the guy who said
Stay away from that tribe, oh, wasn't I?
And didn't I try to tell ya
That stuff's gonna kill ya, oh, didn't I?
But you thought it was cool
And I was just an old fool, oh, look at ya
You left home for the city
With Hollywood stars in your eyes
Now your mother, God bless her
Cries herself to sleep every night
Oh, my girl
My sweet, innocent girl
Didn't I search the streets
For the biggest pimps and cheats, oh, didn't I?
And didn't I try to guide ya
To a baptism of fire, oh, didn't I?
And didn't I try to warn ya
'Bout that folk in California, oh, didn't I?
But you said daddy, please, don't worry
I got friends out there who love me, now look at ya
Oh baby, come back home, we can work this out
There is no blame
I wanna hold you close and stroke your hair
And share your pain, yeah
Didn't I do the best for you
Try to make you stay in school, didn't I?
Once I was your hero
But I went from ten to zero, oh, didn't I?
For a roll on the dice
To really pay the ultimate price, oh, didn't ya?
Now I stand by your bedside
Watching you fight for your life (fight for your life)
Where's the innocence? (Where's the innocence?)
Where's the future? (Where is the future?)
Where's the beauty? (Beauty)
Where's the promise? (Where is the promise?)
There are times to remember
And times that I wish to forget