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 you 'that's 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 beggars, pimps and cheats?
Oh, didn't I?
And didn't I try to guide you 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
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? Now listen
For a roll on the dice
you nearly paid the ultimate price
Oh, didn't ya?
Now I stand by your bedside,
watching you fight for you life
Where's the innocence? (Where's the innocence? )
Where's the future? (Where is the future?)
Where the beauty? (Ooo)
Where's the promise? (Where is the promise?)
There are times to remember
And times that I wish to forget