at night we watch classic comedy

He laughs and I see him how he was when I was small

when I was clever and knew to make him smile;

I was happy to be like him in any way at all.

*

When I am too wee to know my daddy isn't tall

I trot along beside him, his admiring rank and file.

He laughs and I see him how he was when I was small.

*

When I knew nothing about genes and alcohol

and before I knew his heart stored all the bile -

I was happy to be like him in any way at all.

*

The creature that appears to scream and bawl

concealed itself in those days, full of guile.

He laughs and I see him how he was when I was small.

*

Though now I tiptoe with an expertise admired by all

and I would never yell at you or act hostile,

I was happy to be like him in any way at all.

*

All resemblance now does nothing but appall

but we like the same jokes still, so for a while

he laughs and I see him how he was when I was small.

I was happy to be like him in any way at all.