Papa Raised a Girl

He could have raised a son—

A fine and gentle boy,

Someone to tend to all the chores.

Suppose he could have called him Roy.

But Papa raised a girl.

He could have raised a son—

Someone to fish and hunt with him.

They could've spent time in the mountains.

Suppose he could have named him Tim.

But Papa raised a girl.

He could have raised a son—

Someone to star on the football field,

Someone to play baseball.

Suppose he could have named him Neal.

But Papa raised a girl.

Yes, he raised her to sing and dance,

Cook food and keep the dishes clean.

But Papa?

He kind of went in between.

He knew a lot about hunting and fishing,

And basketball and other games.

So he taught her a lot of things

You normally don't teach to dames.

Papa raised a girl—

A fine and gentle girl.

Someone to hunt and fish,
As well as dance and swirl.