A stranger laid dyin' I could tell he'd been cryin'
On the ground where he laid the whole night long
At first I thought he was prayin' but then I heard him sayin'
Please don't tell my little girl why daddy's gone

I thought when I left her I could make her life better
And I never meant to stay away so long
But the wine and the women just kept my head a swimmin'
And the bars became my home away from home

You say I promised when I left her I'd be coming home again
When spring had come to melt away the snow
And I know she still waits for me to come and take her little hand
And go to places that we used to go

So won't you please send my daughter these little things I bought her
And tell her that I won't be gone too long
If you've got time for a letter tell her I won't forget her
Just don't tell my little girl why daddy's gone

You say I promised when I left her...
So won't you please send my daughter...
Just don't tell my little girl why daddy's gone