To Be a Child

Lost among the teddy bears

In a bed that's twice his size

Somehow got my head of hair

But his mamma's laughing eyes

And sleep has overcome

This little angel in disguise

And night's unwelcome shadows bid

Another day of golden youth goodbye



Most times he's up at dawn to carry on

A most eventful day

Discovering things like the jellybeans

That mamma hid away

Or riding backyard prairies

On a horse raised from a broom

Or making chase through outer space

The first boy on the moon



Oh, Lord, will you let this little child

Be a little child awhile

Doing things that children do

Give him time for building castles in the sand

Until time's unfailing hand

Takes my boy from life as child

To his place in life as man



At a birthday party with his friends

In a clubhouse in the yard

Or racing bikes down a winding trail

With knees forever scarred

Or climbing trees with energy

That tires me to observe

This little seed that grows with blinding speed

That even youth cannot preserve



Oh, Lord, will you let this little child

Be a little child awhile

Doing things that children do

Give him time for building castles in the sand

Until time's unfailing hand

Takes my boy from life as child



Oh, Lord, will you let my little child

Be a little child awhile

Doing things that children do

Give him time for building castles in the sand

Until time's unfailing hand

Takes my boy from life as child

To his place in life as man