[Intro: Spoken Word]
"Gimme a D!"
"D!"
"Gimme an A!"
"A!"
"Gimme a D!"
"D!"
"Gimme a D!"
"D!"
"Gimme a Y!"
"Y!"
"What's that spell?"
"Daddy!"
"What's that spell?"
"Daddy!"
"What's that spell?"
"Daddy!"

[Verse 1]
I don't know how to start this and I’m supposed to be an artist
This topic is the hardest- I guess it’s just catharsis
Emotions trapped in silence locked deep in my heart
Contemplating unseen forces that keep us apart
It feels so cliche- absentee father
Abandoned me yonder- that has to leave trauma
But this is kind of different, not your typical case
Because even as a kid I remember your face
You and mom never married and I wonder: Was it scary when
You found out that it was your child that she was carrying?
My mother thought that y’all would last forever
Alas! However, your love got smashed and severed
But now you’re left with me- I’m your destiny and legacy
The same pedigree yet we live separately
Memories locked away so many things I got to say
But first I just wanted to wish you a Happy Father’s Day
[Chorus 1]
I love my daddy, my daddy loves me
He makes me as happy as can be
How do I spell my favorite guy?
I spell it D-A-D-D-Y
How do I spell my favorite guy?
I spell it D-A-D-D-Y
I spell it D-A-D-D-Y

[Verse 2]
Sitting by the window waiting for your car to arrive
I wasn’t scarred, I was five- you were a star in my eyes
You would pick me up, here we go- familiar scenario
Cartoons, cheerios, Luther on your stereo
Too young to understand weekend visitations
But when you dropped me off, I could see the limitations
You and mom had worked it out without the courts
And every two weeks, you dropped off child support
As an adolescent I remember us having sessions
Of laughter, jesting, chess, and practical lessons
That was a blessing- I’m guessing the long and short of it
Is that the little that I got made me long for more of it
Looking back, I can see times I would silently
Wonder why is He not excited to spend some time with me?
For us to get together, usually I’d have to call you
At times you would make plans with me and they would fall through
Time passed- no longer a kid, but in my teens
Relating to that Fresh Prince scene with Ben Vereen
And as I got older, my heart got colder
Carrying the weight of your absence on my shoulders
Wishing you weren’t distant, so much bitterness then
My whole life switched when I became a Christian
So many memories locked away
But for now, all I gotta say is Happy Father’s Day
[Chorus 1]
I love my daddy, my daddy loves me
He makes me as happy as can be
How do I spell my favorite guy?
I spell it D-A-D-D-Y
How do I spell my favorite guy?
I spell it D-A-D-D-Y
I spell it D-A-D-D-Y

[Verse 3]
Through divine election, I received a blessing
Discovered that I now had a Father who was in heaven
After I was saved through the gospel and made new
I came to your crib to let you know that I forgave you
It wasn’t what I hoped for- you didn’t shed a tear
Didn’t see you again for another seven years
My life at that point, I can’t recall a lot off the top
But time stood still when I saw you at that coffee shop
It was clearer the end of your days was getting nearer
You said looking at me was like staring into a mirror
Since then I see you here and there-get togethers, funerals
The times you crossed my mind, I can’t count the numerals
I’m married now and got three children of my own
Not sure if by their grandfather they’ll ever be known
Do you have regrets? Do you wonder what could have been?
Do you feel guilt about the father that you should have been?
I know you just did to me what your father did to you
But through Jesus Christ, Dad, you can find forgiveness too!
One day we’ll all have to stand before the Lord
The payment for sin is a price we can’t afford
Our frailty and flaws, failures and loss
Was all laid on Christ when they nailed Him to the cross
And that’s a lot to say, just know to God I pray
That you would follow His way and know the Father today!
[Chorus 2]
I love my Daddy, my Daddy loves me
He sent Jesus to die on the tree
How do I spell my Daddy is the best?
I spell it J-E-S-U-S
How do I spell my Daddy is the best?
I spell it J-E-S-U-S
I spell it J-E-S-U-S