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 never learned
And I'd help you cross the bridges that I 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
And I know that I could 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 yesterdays don't have to be your way

If I knew
I could try to change the world I brought you to
Now there isn't that much more that I can do
But I would if I could
If, if I could