THE “HELLO DADDY” STORY
As a father I wanted to share with you here the full scoop behind one of my songs titled, Hello Daddy. I think its a song that fits anytime of the year (especially if you’re a parent) but several of my friends have told me they also think of it as one of their favorite fathers day songs.
My name is Patrick Newberry. I live in Tampa, Florida. I’m just a regular guy, dad of three, I run a small company and from time to time I create music in my spare time.
Late one Wednesday eve back in 2004, after serving my kids supper, and while my wife was away at church for a few minutes, I sat down at the piano for a couple minutes of “quality” alone time. The kids were in their bedrooms, each somewhere between playing with toys and getting ready for bed-time.
As I was really geting into my private moments on the piano, my youngest daughter Holly came out and asked me, with the most adorable little hug, “hello daddy, umm could you please come and say my prayers with me?”
Trust me, I melted right then and there and… piano time, was completely finished.
So we headed to her room and knelt down by the bed and whispered our nightly prayers.
I tucked little Holly in and was about to get back to my “quality” music time when that all to adorable voice said softly…daddy please don’t go anywhere…couldn’t you please stay daddy, for just a little bit longer?
I recollect sitting on the floor, holding their small hands or occasionally they would just want to hold on to one of my fingers. I think the point was we had to be touching in some way. Never the less, finally after enough chit chat or story telling they would soon drift off to the world of dreams and I could make my quiet leave.
As I recall it took a few minutes to get Holly to fall a sleep that evening but before long she did and I knew that if I was going to have any more “quality” alone time, it would be with a very soft melody.
So here I am about to get back to the piano…I had so many thoughts running through my head at the minute. My older daughter (who was 12 at the time) was slowly loosing that desire to have dad tuck her into bed and was asking me in less and less to say her bed time prayers.
I couldn’t help but think it wouldn’t be long and my little Holly would soon stop asking this of me as well. Then before I know it, they will all 3 be walking out the front door, entering into their own world as adults. My oldest daughter turned 18 this week, my son is 17 this year, so it’s all moving into clear view, even today more than ever.
So I sat down at the piano and about thirty-minutes later–I was of course fighting away the tears as I was writing down the verses and I finished writing this song. Today I share it with you and I hope you like listening to what I titled, Hello Daddy.
I send it out it to all the parents out there who have ever knelt down next to their child’s bed, to say that little bed time prayer that helps then fall to sleep.
Please let me me know if you enjoy it. You can find it on YouTube by clicking any of the links in this article. Once you are on my YouTube channel you will find it labeled as a Songs for Dads. It only takes one click to share on facebook with all of the other parents that you know, who may also like this song. Thanks for your help in sharing it forward and also if you stop by YouTube be sure to post a comment or two… I would love to read your family bedtime ritual as well.
Sincerely,
Patrick Newberry (Proud dad to 3 beautiful children, Kara, Michael & Holly)
Tampa, FL
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