I got sent home from school one day with a shiner on my eye. 
 Fightin' was against [bad word] and it didn't matter why. 
 When dad got home I told that story just like I'd rehearsed. 
 And then stood there on those tremblin' knees and waited for the worst. 

 And he said, "Let me tell you a secret about a father's love, 
 secret that my daddy said was just between us." 
 He said, "Daddies don't just love their children every now and then. 
 It's a love without end, amen, it's a love without end, amen." 

 When I became a father in the spring of '81 
 There was no doubt that stubborn boy was just like my father's son. 
 And when I thought my patience had been tested to the end, 
 I took my daddy's secret and I passed it on to him. 

 And I said, "Let me tell you a secret about a father's love, 
 secret that my daddy said was just between us." 
 I said, "Daddies don't just love their children every now and then. 
 It's a love without end, amen, it's a love without end, amen." 

 Last night I dreamed I died and stood outside those pearly gates. 
 When suddenly I realized there must be some mistake. 
 If they know half the things I've done, they'll never let me in. 
 And then somewhere from the other side I heard these words again. 

 And They said, "Let me tell you a secret about a father's love, 
 secret that my daddy said was just between us. 
 You see Daddies don't just love their children every now and then. 
 It's a love without end, amen, it's a love without end, amen."