If I Could

If I could, I'd protect you from the sadness in your eyes Give you courage in a world of compromise, yes, I would If I could, I would teach you all the things I've never learned And I'd help you cross the bridges that I've burned, yes, I would If I could, I would try to shield your innocence from time But the part of life I gave you isn't mine I've watched you grow so I could let you go If I could, I would help you make it through the hungry years But I know that I can never cry your tears, but I would, if I could If I live in a time and place where you don't want to be You don't have to walk along this road with me My yesterday won't have to be your way If I knew, I'd have tried to change the world I brought you to And there isn't very much that I can do, but I would, if I could If I could, I would try to shield your innocence from time But that part of life I gave you isn't mine I watched you grow so I could let you go If, if I could, I would help you make it through those hungry years But I know that I can never cry your tears, but I would, if I could Yes, I would, yes, I would, if I could