He was sittin beside me
in the passenger seat.
As I looked through the windshield
at the quiet little street.
He was smilin so proud,
as he gave me the key.
But inside I knew,
he was as nervous as me.
And I said, "Daddy, oh daddy,
are you sure I know how?"
"Are you sure that I'm ready
to drive this car now?"
He said, "I'm right here beside you
and you're gonna do fine."
"All you gotta do,
is keep it between the lines."
'Cause it's a long narrow road
Only the good Lord knows
Where it leads in the end
But you've got to begin
So keep your hands on the wheel
Believe in the things that are real
Just take your time
And keep it between the lines.
I was sitting in my chair
Kinda sneakin a look
At him lyin on the floor
With his coloring book
Then he caught me watchin
And he climbed on my knee
Said, "Daddy, oh daddy, would you do one with me?"
Then I hugged him so tightly as we turned the page.
Said, "I haven't done this, since I was your age."
He said, "I'm right here beside you and your gonna do fine."
"Daddy, all you gotta do, is keep it between the lines."
So we finished the picture
And I put him to bed
Got down on my knees
And I bowed my head
And I said, "Father, oh Father, I feel so alone."
"Are you sure I can raise him, with his mommy gone?"
Then the answer came back so gentle and low.
In the words of my daddy from so long ago
Said, "I'm right here beside you and you're gonna do fine."
"All you gotta do, is keep it between the lines."
So keep your hands on the wheel
Believe in the things that are real
Take your time
And keep it between the lines
Just take your time