“Daddy”

Daddy was a working man
Through toil and strife, he’d bring home the bread
With soot on his face and a strong right hand

Hair stained black, with his skin smoke tanned
Home by dawn; gently kiss the foreheads in each bed
Daddy was a working man

But from his troubles he ran and ran
His problems would fade, as the neon lights hung overhead
With soot on his face and a strong right hand

The pain grew stronger with more demand
Home by dawn, not for kisses, but liquor instead
Daddy was a working man

Fits of rage; the family disband
Mommy couldn’t take it, he pulled the last thread
With soot on his face and a strong right hand

Remorse filled dreams, and a broken wedding band
One more round with Johnny walker to quiet his head
Daddy was a working man
Soot on his face and a strong right hand