Verse 1:
She spins and she sways to whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting here wearing the weight of the world on my shoulders
It's been a long day and there's still work to do
She's pulling at me saying "Dad I need you!
There's a ball at the castle and I've been invited
and I need to practice my dancin'
Oh please, Daddy, please!"
Chorus:
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
Verse 2:
She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says, "Dad, the prom is just one week away
And I need to practice my dancin'
Oh please, Daddy, please!"
Chorus:
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
She will be gone
Verse 3:
But she came home today with a ring on her hand
Just glowing and telling us all they had planned
She says, "Dad, the wedding's still six months away but I need to practice my dancin'
Oh please, Daddy, please!"
Chorus:
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
Cinderella
Cinderella Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Released on August 6, 2009, Steven Curtis Chapman’s song "Cinderella" is a profoundly moving reflection on the swift passage of time and the preciousness of moments shared with loved ones, particularly viewed through the lens of a father watching his daughter grow. While written before a deeply personal tragedy impacted his family, its release afterward imbued it with an even more poignant and resonant quality, speaking to the fragility of life and the critical importance of cherishing the present. The core message centers on recognizing the fleeting nature of childhood and the call to be fully present in the lives of those we love, lest those precious moments vanish like a fairy tale ending at midnight.
The song acts as a tender reminder that the seemingly small, everyday interactions – dancing in the living room, reading a bedtime story, walking a daughter down an aisle – are the true treasures of life. This theme aligns powerfully with biblical wisdom that urges us to recognize the value of our time on earth. Psalm 90:12 implores us, "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom," a verse that echoes the song’s subtle plea to appreciate each moment God grants us. The image of a father reluctant to let go of his dancing daughter before the clock strikes twelve serves as a powerful metaphor for the universal human desire to hold onto joy and innocence, knowing instinctively that life’s seasons change with startling speed.
Scripture also frequently speaks to the transient nature of life itself. James 4:14 famously asks, "What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes," a stark image that underscores the song's underlying urgency to value the time we have. Yet, within this awareness of life's brevity, the song, like faith, finds its meaning not in despair but in focusing on what truly matters: love, connection, and the people God has placed in our lives. The love depicted between father and daughter reflects, in a small way, the divine love God has for His children, a love that is eternal and unchanging even as our earthly lives unfold and pass away. The song encourages us to invest our time and energy in relationships that bear eternal weight, fulfilling the command to love one another (John 13:34).
"Cinderella" inspires us to put down distractions and engage fully in the beautiful, messy reality of daily life with family. It’s a call to live out the principles found in passages like Ephesians 5:15-16, which exhorts us to "look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." By framing life’s moments as precious, limited opportunities – like a dance that must end – the song challenges a culture often preoccupied with busyness and future planning, urging us instead to find holiness in the present and the sacred trust of raising and cherishing children, whom Psalm 127 describes as a heritage and a reward from the Lord. It leaves the spirit stirred, prompting introspection on how we are "numbering our days" and whether we are prioritizing what truly matters in the light of eternity.
