The Day I Give You Away

Forty-two buttons up your back And I'm taking my sweet time I buttoned you at four years old Into a flower girl's white lace You spun until you fell down dizzy — I see that same spin in your face Hold still, baby, almost done Hold still — let me look at you This is the day I give you away With hands that learned you by heart Every dress I ever fastened Was practice for this part I'm not losing you, my darling — I'm just letting the world see what I made You smell like the perfume I wore At my own wedding, way back when You found the bottle in my dresser — Oh, there go my eyes again The cars are waiting, music's ready One more breath, just ours This is the day I give you away With hands that learned you by heart Every dress I ever fastened Was practice for this part I'm not losing you, my darling — I'm just letting the world see what I made One day it might be your turn — Some bright morning, buttons and held breath And you'll finally know this ache I'm wearing: The proudest one a heart can get This is the day I give you away With hands that learned you by heart Every dress I ever fastened Was practice for this part I'm not losing you, my darling — I'm just letting the world see what I made There. Last button. You're ready Go on, my girl — I'm right behind you