To Be a Child

Lost among the teddy bears
In a bed that's twice his size
Somehow got my head of hair
But his mamma's laughing eyes
And sleep has overcome
This little angel in disguise
And night's unwelcome shadows bid
Another day of golden youth goodbye

Most times he's up at dawn to carry on
A most eventful day
Discovering things like the jellybeans
That mamma hid away
Or riding backyard prairies
On a horse raised from a broom
Or making chase through outer space
The first boy on the moon

Oh, Lord, will you let this little child
Be a little child awhile
Doing things that children do
Give him time for building castles in the sand
Until time's unfailing hand
Takes my boy from life as child
To his place in life as man

At a birthday party with his friends
In a clubhouse in the yard
Or racing bikes down a winding trail
With knees forever scarred
Or climbing trees with energy
That tires me to observe
This little seed that grows with blinding speed
That even youth cannot preserve

Oh, Lord, will you let this little child
Be a little child awhile
Doing things that children do
Give him time for building castles in the sand
Until time's unfailing hand
Takes my boy from life as child

Oh, Lord, will you let my little child
Be a little child awhile
Doing things that children do
Give him time for building castles in the sand
Until time's unfailing hand
Takes my boy from life as child
To his place in life as man