Everyday my papa would work
   To help to make ends meet
   To see that we would eat
   Keep those shoes upon my feet
   Every night my papa would take
   And tuck me in my bed
   Kiss me on my head
   After all the prayers were said
  
   Growing up with him was easy
   Time just flew on by
   The years began to fly
   He aged and so did I
  
   I could tell
   That mama wasn't well
   Papa knew and deep down so did she
   So did she
   When she died
   My papa broke down and cried
   All he said was, "God, why not take me?"
  
   Every night he sat there sleeping
   In his rocking chair
   He never went upstairs
   All because she wasn't there
  
   Then one day my papa said,
   "Son, I'm proud the way you've grown.
   Make it on your own. Oh, I'll be O.K. alone."
  
   Every time I kiss my children
   Papa's words ring true
   "Your children live through you.
   They'll grow and leave you, too"
   I remember every word
   My papa used to say
   I live them everyday
   He taught me well that way
  
   Every night my papa would take
   And tuck me in my bed
   Kiss me on my head
   When my prayers were said
   Every night my papa would take
   And tuck me in my bed
   Tuck me in my bed
   After my prayers were said ...
  
   Papa
   Paul Anka ('90s version)
   Everyday my papa would work
   To try to make ends meet
   To see that we would eat
   Keep those shoes upon my feet
   Every night my papa would take me
   And tuck me in my bed
   Kiss me on my head
   After all my prayers were said
  
   And there were years
   Of sadness and of tears
   Through it all
   Together we were strong
   We were strong
   Times were rough
   But Papa he was tough
   Mama stood beside him all along
  
   Growing up with them was easy
   The time had flew on by
   The years began to fly
   They aged and so did I
   And I could tell
   That mama she wasn't well
   Papa knew and deep down so did she
   So did she
   When she died
   Papa broke down and he cried
   And all he could say was, "God, why her? Take me!"
   Everyday he sat there sleeping in a rocking chair
   He never went upstais
   Because she wasn't there
  
   Then one day my Papa said,
   "Son, I'm proud of how you've grown"
   He said, "Go out and make it on your own.
   Don't worry. I'm O.K. alone."
   He said, "There are things that you must do"
   He said, "There's places you must see"
   And his eyes were sad as he
   As he said goodbye to me
  
   Every time I kess my children
   Papa's words ring true
   He said, "Children live through you.
   Let them grow! They'll leave you, too"
   I remember every word Papa used to say
   I kiss my kids and pray
   That they'll think of me
   Oh how I pray
   They will think of me
   That way
   Someday