Little Girl’s Dad

[Verse 1]
I kept a little journal from before you were born
And wrote about the shape of mama's belly you formed
I filled a lot of pages up inside that first six months
She noticed every single movement and it's all too much
Brought you back to our tiny two bedder in Dulwich Hill
Salute to the red brick—to some of us you're still a big deal
You see I never thought I'd own my home
But here we are as the sun sets, neighbour chats away on his phone
They say you grow up so quick, I don't know about that
But your clothes sure as hell do
And now lunch is getting packed and my diary lost track
So I've got something to tell you

[Chorus]
You ain't daddy's little girl, he's a little girl's dad
That's the way it's going to be
And I'm sorry you inherited a man's world, baby
It's not the way it's got to be
You ain't daddy's little girl he's a little girl's dad
And it's your world to take back
Cause the men are going to try and tell you what you can and can't be
And you ain't going to stand for that

[Pre-Verse Ad-Lib]
That's a nice way of saying that *laughs*
Right
So let's start this one again, huh?

[Verse 2]
There's so many textbooks, websites, experts
Telling you the way you should bring up your kid
When genetics kick in there isn't a way of knowing anything
About the thousand lives you may live
We don't keep it safe as we can possibly make it (oh)
Cause I don't want to wrap you up in wool (yeah)
Thought it was different but I was mistaken
If I ever led you to believe that we're in control
See your chubby little arms reaching up to be held
I just want to hold you tightly and shield any pain
With your head upon my shoulders you can feel how the fire works
But also be protected from the heat of the flame
And when it seems like despair in this broken world
Knowing I will be there and ready whenever you fall
You're somebody's revelation, ain't nobody's girl
So no matter what direction you walk, kid you've got my support
They say you grow up so quick I don't know about that
'Cause you learn with everything you do
Now the months are so packed and my diary lost track
So I've got something to tell you

[Pre-Chorus Ad-Lib]
Let me say it like

[Chorus]
You ain't daddy's little girl, he's a little girl's dad
That's the way it's going to be
And I'm sorry you inherited a man's world, baby
It's not the way it's got to be
You ain't daddy's little girl he's a little girl's dad
And it's your world to take back
Cause the men are going to try and tell you what you can and can't be
And you ain't going to stand for that

[Post-Chorus]

[Verse 3]
And you make your mistakes; I've made mine (uh-huh)
You do as you wish, take your time (damn right)
Say whatever you think, that's your right (that's your right)
What does life in the other's shoes look like? (come on)
You were born with a strength you could never hide (believe it)
So when they try you push you to the side
Push 'em right back, you don't ever have to step aside (nah)
Cause a lot of rules made well, they don't apply (come on)
You make your mistakes; I've made mine (hold up)
You do as you wish, take your time (damn right)
Little homie you don't ever have to step aside (damn right!)
Cause a lot of rules made well, they don't apply

[Chorus]
You ain't daddy's little girl, he's a little girl's dad
That's the way it's going to be
And I'm sorry you inherited a man's world, baby
It's not the way it's got to be
You ain't daddy's little girl he's a little girl's dad
And it's your world to take back
Cause the men are going to try and tell you what you can and can't be
And you ain't going to stand for that