She was a lovely girl, a charming brown-eyed beauty
You were the bright young man who swept her off her feet
The high school class ring soon became a wedding band
And you went off the sail the seas for Uncle Sam
But they say it was the demon in the bottle
That took you far away never to return
And you never knew you son would be my father
And now sometimes I think about you and I wonder
If I could talk to you what words would I choose

I would say I wish I could have know you
And I would say I wish you would have stayed
But most of all I would say I forgive you

I know your love was strong I read it in your letters
I read how hard you tried to break free from the chains
I know we all could say how you should have done better
And wear our anger and resentment like a fetter
But that's why I would say this to you if I could

I would say I wish I could have know you
And I would say I wish you would have stayed
But most of all I would say I forgive you

I'd love to tell you how the lovely girl you married
She's been my hero and a treasure to us all
I know you'd be proud of the way your name's been carried
These are things I would love to tell you if I could
I would say I wish I could have know you
And I would say I wish you would have stayed
But most of all I would say I forgive you

I wish you were here to hear what I would say