Bob Carlisle - Butterfly Kisses Lyrics
Lyrics
There's two things I know for sure:
She was sent here from heaven and she's daddy's little girl.
As I drop to my knees by her bed at night
She talks to Jesus and I close my eyes
and I thank god for all of the joy in my life
Oh, but most of all
For butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer;
sticking little white flowers all up in her hair;
"Walk beside the pony, Daddy, it's my first ride."
"I know the cake looks funny, Daddy, but I sure tried."
Oh, with all that I've done wrong, I must have done something right
To deserve a hug every morning And butterfly kisses at night.
Sweet 16 today
She's looking like her mama a little more everyday
One part woman, the other part girl.
To perfume and make-up from ribbons and curls
Trying her wings out in a great big world.
But I remember.....
Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer;
sticking little white flowers all up in her hair.
"You know how much I love you, Daddy,
But if you don't mind I'm only gonna kiss you on the cheek this time."
Oh with all that I've done wrong I must have done something right
to deserve her love every morning and butterfly kisses at night.
All the precious time
Like the wind, the years go by.
Precious butterfly.
Spread your wings and fly.
She'll change her name today.
She'll make a promise and I'll give her away.
Standing in the bride-room just staring at her.
She asked me what I'm thinking and I said
"I'm not sure-I just feel like I'm losing my baby girl."
She leaned over
Gave me butterfly kisses with her mama there,
Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair
"Walk me down the aisle, Daddy-it's just about time."
"Does my wedding gown look pretty, Daddy? Daddy, don't cry"
Oh, with all that I've done wrong I must have done something right.
To deserve her love every morning and butterfly kisses
I couldn't ask God for more, man this is what love is.
I know I gotta let her go, but I'll always remember
Every hug in the morning and butterfly kisses...
Video
Bob Carlisle - Butterfly Kisses
Meaning & Inspiration
Bob Carlisle's "Butterfly Kisses," released in 1997 on the album *To Dad, With Love*, is a poignant tribute to the enduring, transformative power of paternal love, echoing timeless biblical truths about family and legacy. The song’s narrative unfolds through the intimate moments of a father watching his daughter grow, from infancy to her wedding day, framing these milestones within a profound sense of gratitude. Carlisle captures the universal experience of parental pride and the bittersweet acknowledgment of time's relentless march. The central metaphor of "butterfly kisses" – those light, fleeting touches of affection – becomes a symbol of pure, unconditional love, deeply reminiscent of God's own love for His children as described in Scripture.
The song’s message resonates deeply with the biblical admonition to cherish family. Proverbs 22:6 famously states, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it," and Carlisle's lyrics paint a picture of a father diligently investing in his daughter's upbringing, finding joy and fulfillment in her development. The father's recognition of his own shortcomings ("Oh, with all that I've done wrong, I must have done something right") beautifully mirrors the concept of undeserved grace, a core tenet of Christian faith, much like Ephesians 2:8-9 emphasizes salvation through grace by faith, not works. The daughter's transition from a child who talks to Jesus with her father by her side to a young woman ready to embark on her own journey is a testament to the foundation of faith being laid. The moment of her wedding, when she asks her father not to cry, speaks to her maturity and her father's quiet acceptance of his role in preparing her for this new chapter, a reflection of God entrusting us with new responsibilities and journeys. The final lines, "I know I gotta let her go, but I'll always remember / Every hug in the morning and butterfly kisses," encapsulate a father's enduring love, a love that transcends physical presence, much like the everlasting love of God that sustains us through all seasons of life, as promised in Jeremiah 31:3: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you." "Butterfly Kisses" is more than a song; it's a melodic meditation on the sacred bonds of family and the enduring presence of love, reflecting the very heart of what it means to cherish and nurture the life God has given us.