If I Could
Embracing Limitations: A Parent's Unwavering Love
Lyrics
If I could
If the speaker could
I'd protect you from the sadness in your eyes
Expresses the desire to protect from sadness
Give you courage in a world of compromise
Wishes to provide courage in a compromising world
Yes, I would
Affirms the commitment to protect
If I could
Reiterates the desire to do so
I would teach you all the things I never learned
Expresses the intent to teach unlearned lessons
And I'd help you cross the bridges that I burned
Commits to helping overcome past challenges
Yes, I would
Confirms the commitment to help
If I could
Reiterates the commitment to shield
I would try to shield your innocence from time
Expresses the intent to protect innocence from time
But the part of life I gave you isn't mine
Acknowledges the limitation in controlling destiny
I watched you grow
Reflects on watching the listener grow
So I could let you go
Expresses the purpose of letting go
If I could
Reiterates the commitment to help
I would help you make it through the hungry years
Expresses the willingness to assist in challenging times
But I know that I can never cry your tears
Acknowledges the inability to experience the listener's pain
But I would
Confirms the commitment to help
If I could
Reiterates the desire to do so
If I live
Introduces a hypothetical situation
In a time and place
Describes a challenging time and place
Where you don't want to be
Encourages the listener not to walk this difficult road
You don't have to walk along this road with me
Supports the listener in choosing a different path
My yesterday
Refers to the speaker's past
Won't have to be your way
Highlights the possibility of a different future
If I knew
Expresses a hypothetical knowledge
I'd have tried to change the world I brought you to
Expresses the desire to change the world for the listener
Through there wasn't very much that I could do
Admits limitations in changing the given circumstances
But I still would
Reiterates the commitment to try
If I could
Reaffirms the desire to help
If, if I could
Reiterates the commitment to shield
I would try to shield your innocence from time
Reexpresses the intent to protect innocence from time
But the part of life I gave you isn't mine.
Repeats acknowledgment of limited control over life given
I watched you grow
Repeats the purpose of watching the listener grow
So I could let you go
Reiterates the purpose of letting go
If I could
Reiterates the commitment to help
I would help you make it through the hungry years
Expresses the intent to assist during difficult times
But I know that I can never cry your tears
Acknowledges the inability to cry the listener's tears
But I would
Reiterates the commitment to help
If I could
Reiterates the desire to do so
Yes, I would
Reaffirms the commitment to protect
Yes, I would
-If I could
Reiterates the desire to do so</td
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