I got sent home from school one day with a shiner on my eye
Fighting was against the rules and it didn't matter why
When dad got home I told that story just like I'd rehearsed
And then stood there on those trembling knees and waited for the worst

And he said, "Let me tell you a secret about a father's love
A secret that my daddy said was just between us"
He said, "Daddies don't just love their children every now and then
It's a love without end, amen
It's a love without end, amen"

When I became a father in the spring of '81
There was no doubt that stubborn boy was just like my fathers son
And when I thought my patience had been tested to the end
I took my daddies secret and I passed it on to him

I said, "Let me tell you a secret about a father's love
A secret that my daddy said was just between us"
I said, "Daddies don't just love their children every now and then
It's a love without end, amen 
It's a love without end, amen"

Last night I dreamed I died and stood outside those pearly gates
When suddenly I realized there must be some mistake
If they know half the things I've done, they'll never let me in
And then somewhere from the other side I heard these words again

They said, "Let me tell you a secret about a father's love
A secret that my daddy said was just between us
You see, daddies don't just love their children every now and then
It's a love without end, amen 
It's a love without end, amen"