(Harley Allen/Paul Overstreet)

The first night we brought you home, it scared me half to death
I stood right beside your crib and counted every breath
Lookin' at your little face, heaven seemed so close,
It felt all right to ask the Lord for what I want the most

I wanna be there when you're one,
And you're just learning how to walk
I wanna be there when you're two,
An' hear the funny ways you talk
I wanna be there when you're three,
An my wall's covered up with chalk
My only prayer: I wanna be there

I'd like to save some money so we could buy a bigger house
Worked harder at my job to make my family proud
A million things I've got in mind that I want to do
God willing, I've got time: that's what I'll give to you

I wanna be there when you're fifteen,
And you're havin' your first date
I wanna be there when you're sixteen,
And your heart's had it's first break
I wanna be there when you're seventeen,
And think that you can't wait
My only prayer: I wanna be there

I wanna be there when my little girl
Was walkin' down the aisle
I wanna be there, fightin' back the tears,
An' tryin' hard to smile
I wanna be there with your Momma,
When you're havin' your first child
My only prayer: I wanna be there

My only prayer: I wanna be there