My Daddy’s Hands

One time long, long ago

When I was two times three

Mother and I a journey took

Into a far country.

Daddy put us aboard the train

The night was Oh! So dark

There was a sob within my throat

And an ache within my heart.

As the train pulled out, I looked

‘Twas so dark I could hardly see

But I caught a glimpse of Daddy’s hands

Waving “Goodbye” to me.

I sobbed to myself that night

Those hands to me seemed so dear

I thought again of their rough caress,

I thought of their love and care.

I sob to myself sometimes

Though I’m a woman in years

And my hands are rough with toil

And my heart is old with cares.

Some times my heart is sad

When I think of the lonely years

That I must spend when Daddy’s hands

Have ceased from their loving care.

If you’d look at my Daddy’s hands

You’d say they are rough and thin

But to me they’re the dearest hands in the world

Because them belong to him.

Written by Ida May Schaffer

September 10, 1927