Lessons

My own mother taught me, and that's how I know,
good mothers must always put their children first.
It's best not to hold on. It's best to let go.
You can hope for the best but should plan for the worst.

Good mothers must always put their children first
and after the children the next is the man.
You can hope for the best but should plan for the worst.
I've taught both my daughters as well as I can.

Yes, after the children the next is the man.
My daughters are grown now with men of their own.
I've taught both my daughters the best that I can.
They must live their own lives for they're fully grown.

My daughters are grown now with men of their own.
Those men do the washing and hang out the shirts.
They must live their own lives for they're fully grown.
They choose to wash dresses and blouses and skirts.

Now men do the washing and hang out the shirts.
My husband did nothing, but his daughters' men
can iron the dresses, the blouses, the skirts,
and find the school satchel, the notebook, the pen.

My husband did nothing, but his daughters' men
come home from the office and cook the kids' teas,
and find the school satchel, the notebook, the pen.
And go to the gym; they've our daughters to please.

Once home from the office they cook the kids' teas.
My daughters are busy; they often work late
or go to the gym. They can do as they please.
They're very successful. Their lives are just great.

My daughters are busy (they often work late)
so sometimes I pick up the kids from the school.
The kids are successful. Their lives are just great.
I hope that they don't think their granny's a fool.

Yes, sometimes I pick up the kids from the school.
I teach them to knit and to make Eccles cakes.
I hope that they don't think their granny's a fool.
We all do our best and we all make mistakes.

I teach them to knit and to make Eccles cakes.
It's best not to hold on. It's best to let go.
We all do our best and we all make mistakes.
My own mother taught me and that's how I know.

Isabel Miles


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