Nobody Claps for Dad

Dad wore duct tape on his work boots so I could have new shoesPut off that shoulder surgery so Sis got her braces tooHe'd say, "I already ate," when the pot was runnin' thinAnd I never even noticed, I was just a kid back then

Nobody claps for DadNobody sees the things he gaveThe Saturdays he worked, the dreams he put awayHe never asked for thanks, never said he had it badHe just kept on givin', and nobody claps for Dad

Momma got the flowers every Mother's Day in MayDad got a tie in June, and he wore it every Sunday anywayAt my graduation, the whole gym stood up and cheeredDad was in the back row in his work clothes, wipin' tears

He sold that '70 Chevelle he'd been rebuildin' half his lifePaid my first semester, never said a word about the price

Nobody claps for DadNobody sees the things he gaveThe Saturdays he worked, the dreams he put awayHe never asked for thanks, never said he had it badHe just kept on givin', and nobody claps for Dad

Now it's two a.m. in my own house, and my baby girl won't sleepGot a mortgage and a job I hate and a stack of bills a mile deepAnd I'm sittin' in the dark just like I used to see him doAnd I finally understand, Dad, everything you carried through

So I called him on the phone, didn't care what time it wasHe picked up on the second ring, the way he always doesI said, "Dad, I never thanked you, but I see it now, I swear"And the line went quiet for a long while, I could hear him cryin' thereHe said, "Son, I never did it for the thanks, I did it 'cause I love you soIt's what the Father does for His, and now you know"

Well, I'm clappin' for you, DadFor every single thing you gaveThe Saturdays you worked, the dreams you put awayYou never asked for thanks, never said you had it badSo tonight I'm standin' up, Lord, I'm clappin' for my dad

Nobody claps for DadBut I'm clappin' now