This is a song about the conflict a dad feels when his little girl is growing up
Hi...My name is Stephan Marc Dubois. I'm a songwriter living in Texas. My style is more classic country, pop, "Texas" Country, Christian Country and Gospel, with a few "where did that come from"? thrown in.
Story behind the song
My songwriting buddy has a daughter that he has an amazing relationship with. He's very close and he wanted to put into music how he felt each time she reached a milestone in her life.
Lyrics
I Was Holding On,
(When I Should Have Been Letting Go)
© October, 2008
Danny Bingham, BMI
Stephan Marc Dubois, Sr ASCAP
V1
On the sidewalk by the street, she was sitting high in that seat
with a look, of I can do this in her eyes.
I was holding on to her side, I wasn’t sure that she could ride
but the time had come to let her try.
"Let go daddy, you don't have to run along,
I know I'm ready, I can do this on my own".
But I was holding on, when I should've been letting go.
V2
Seventeen and off to school, a new license she was feeling cool,
and her first time alone behind the wheel.
I held on to the open door, I didn't want to let her go
'cause her freedom was suddenly so real.
"Let go daddy, I can drive this old car now,
and just remember, you were the one that taught me how".
And I was holding on, when I should've been letting go.
Bridge
There comes a time in life, when we have to step away and let 'em try.
And when you're job is through and you've done what you should do
you can only hope they'll spread their wings and fly.
V3
In the back of a little church, trying hard to hide my hurt
but she saw my eyes were filled with tears.
I reached out and pulled her close, I didn't want to let her go,
‘cause losing her was my greatest fear.
"Let go daddy" she said with a loving smile,
"We need to go now, it's time to walk me down the aisle".
But I was holding on, when I should've been letting go.
