Songs for Daughters

My name is Patrick Newberry. I live in Tampa, Florida. I’m just a hardworking guy, parent of three, I run a small company and from time to time I create music in my spare time.

Late one Wednesday evening back in 2004, after serving my children supper, and while my wife was away at church for a few hours, I sat down at the piano for a couple minutes of “quality” creative time. The kids were in their bedrooms, each somewhere between playing with toys and getting prepared for bed-time.

As I was really geting into my alone moments on the piano, my youngest daughter Holly came out and asked me, with the most memorable little hug, “hello daddy, umm could you please come and say my prayers with me?”

Trust me, I melted right then and there and… piano time, was completely over.

So we headed to her bedroom and knelt down by the bed and whispered our bed-time prayers.

I tucked little Holly in and was about to get back to my “quality” alone time when that all to quiet voice said softly…daddy please don’t go anywhere…couldn’t you please stay daddy, for just a little bit longer?

I recollect laying on the floor, holding their tiny hands or occasionally they would just want to hang on to one of my fingers. I think the point was we had to be connected in some way. Never the less, eventually after enough banter or story telling they would soon slip off to the land of dreams and I could make my subtle leave.

As I recall it took a few minutes to get Holly to fall a sleep that evening but before long she did and I knew that if I was going to have any more “quality” music time, it would be with a very soft melody.

So here I am about to get back to the piano…I had so many thoughts crossing through my mind at the minute. My other daughter (who was 12 at the time) was slowly loosing that desire to have dad tuck her into bed and was asking me in less and less to say her bed time prayers.

I couldn’t help but think it wouldn’t be long and my little Holly would soon stop asking this of me as well. Then before I know it, they will all 3 be walking out the front door, entering into their own lives as adults. My oldest daughter turned 18 this week, my son is 17 this year, so it’s all moving into sharp view, even today more than ever.

So I sat down at the piano and about 30 minutes later–I was of course fighting away the tears as I was writing down the verses and I finished writing this song. Today I share  it with you and I hope you like listening to what I titled, Hello Daddy.

I send it out it to all the parents out there who have at some point knelt down next to their child’s bed, to say that little bed time prayer that helps then fall to sleep.

Please let me me know if you like it. You can find it on YouTube by clicking any of the links in this article. Once you are on my YouTube channel you will find it labeled as a Songs for Dads. It only requires  one click to share on facebook with all of the other parents that you know, who may also enjoy this song. Thanks for your help in passing it along and also if you stop by YouTube be sure to post a comment or two… I would love to read your family bedtime ritual as well.

Sincerely,

Patrick Newberry (Proud dad to 3 beautiful children, Kara, Michael & Holly)
Tampa, FL