Years ago I knew a man He was my mother's biggest fan We used to walk beside the sea And he'd tell how my life would be When I grew up to be a man Years ago we used to play He used to laugh when I ran away But when I fell and hurt my knee He used to come and comfort me And the pain would go away Years ago I knew a boy He was his daddy's pride and joy But when the daddy went away It was such a rainy day That he brought out all his toys Now the momma did explain Trying to take away the pain He just couldn't understand That his father was not a man And it all was just a game Years have passed and so have I Making it hard to cry And if and when I have a son Let it all be said and done Let all that sadness pass him by