If you'd been born in August 
I'd have dressed you in white cotton 
I'd have held you to my breast 
and kissed you in the sun 
if you'd been born to listen 
you'd have heard the sweetest music 
I'd have whispered every lullaby 
that mothers have sung 

and had you become older 
I'd still have rocked you like a baby 
I'd have changed my voice to the stories I'd have read 
had you ever asked a question 
I'd have answered you in earnest 
and then left the hall light on beside your bed 
If you'd been born in winter 
your cheeks would have warmed like roses 
cause I'd have bundled you in goose down 
from your head to your toes 
and the moment that you smiled 
I'd have thought myself the first one 
to understand what every mother knows 

and had you known your father 
you'd have been as proud as I am 
you'd have wanted to be with him just as I do now 
you might have wanted him to hold me, and console me 
and if asked how I'm to live without you 
maybe he'd know how