I sang this song about raising kids at my daughter's wedding.

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Hang On, Let Go

Baby hands reach out for it all,
Big eyes full of trust,
I want her open, I want her safe,
I want her spirit uncrushed
It’s all there on her face, she’s still creating her mask
I read in her eyes the things she can’t ask
How could you stop me from grabbing the rose?
Why didn’t you stop me from touching the stove?
It won’t last forever, that stunned look of wonder,
As she blissfully crawls from one miracle to another.

Let go, hang on,
You’re frail, I’m strong
Run wild, be calm
Become the swan
You’re here, I’m gone
It’s dark till dawn

She hides a rebel heart beneath her new bra,
She knows what buttons to press.
I raised her to question, I raised her to think,
But test others, I still know best.
I can’t read her face, she’s created a mask
But I try to be there when experiments crash
She says, don’t try to stop me, I need to break free
If I fall it’s my problem, don’t suffer for me
She’s secretive, curious, ruthless, and smart,
She brings out my rebel, we’re not that far apart.

Hang on, let go,
Say yes, say no,
Too fast, too slow,
You ask, don’t know
Turn loose, control
Reap what you sew
It hurts to grow

She says I do like I did
She knows how love was made
She knows death didn’t part us
She’s seen how love can fade
She’s not afraid of the past, it’s not my life she lives
I can’t give her away, she’s not mine to give.
She says, I know what I’m doing, no need for advice
Oh, yes, I remember, play with fire on thin ice
A marriage made in heaven might still pass through hell
But if I believe in my child, may be hope for myself.

Let go, hang on,
I’m frail, you’re strong
Run wild, be calm
Become the swan
I’m here, you’re gone
It’s dark till dawn
Hang on, let go,
Say yes, say no,
Too fast, too slow,
I ask, you know
Turn loose, control
Reap what you sew
It hurts to grow

Words and Music: Bruce McKinney
Copyright 2002