I remember looking up to look up to him
♪
And I remember most the time he wasn't there

I'd be waiting at the door when he got home at night
He'd pass me by to go pass out in his chair
And I'd say: "Walk a little straighter Daddy
You're swaying, side to side
Your footsteps make me dizzy
And no matter how I try
I keep tripping and stumbling
If you'd look down here, you'd see
Walk a little straighter, Daddy
You're leading me"
♪
He stumbled in the gym on graduation day
And I couldn't help but feel so ashamed
♪
And I wasn't surprised a bit when he didn't stay
He stumbled out before they called my name
And I thought:"Walk a little straighter, Daddy
You're swaying, side to side
It's not just me who's watching
You've caught everybody's eye
And you're tripping and stumbling
And even though I've turned eighteen
Walk a little straighter, Daddy
You're still leading me"

The old man's still like he always was
But I love him anyway
If I've learned one thing from him
It's my kids will never have to say
"Walk a little straighter, Daddy
You're swaying, side to side
Your footsteps make me dizzy
And no matter how I try
I keep tripping and stumbling
If you'd look down here, you'd see
Walk a little straighter, Daddy
You're leading me"
"Yeah, walk a little straighter, Daddy
You're leading me"