As soon as I saw that his week’s theme was ‘Dads and Grads’ I realised two things. The first was that it must be Fathers’ Day today. Secondly and more importantly that I knew exactly which song I wanted to feature.

I knew I had posted about this before, but as it was over nine (!) years ago, just for once I thought I might be forgiven for the repetition.

Brent Mydland was the keyboardist of the Grateful Dead throughout the 1980s; this song was dedicated to his daughter, Jessica.

I’m not ashamed to say that on the night before my daughter’s wedding I sat and held her hand while we listened to this together. Just so she knew.

Little girl lost
In a forest of dreams
It’s a dark old wood
And it’s damp with dew
Hoot owl hoots
For a moment it seems
Something big and cold
Just got a hold of you
Just when everything gets scary
Daddy’s come ’round for his darlin’ again
Hold my hand with your little fingers
Daddy’s loving arms gonna gather you in
Ain’t no way the Bogeyman can get you
You can close your eyes, the world is gonna let you
Your daddy’s here and never will forget you
I will take you home
I will take you home
Gonna carry you back home
In my arms
I will take you home

Long is the road
We must travel on down
Short are the legs
That will struggle behind
I wish I knew for sure
Just where we’re bound
What we will be doin’
And what we’re gonna find
Wherever we go, there will be birds to cheer you
Flower to color in the fields around
Wherever we go, I’ll be right here near you
You can’t get lost when you’re always found

Ain’t no fog that’s thick enough to hide you
Your daddy’s gonna be right here beside you
If your fears should start to get inside you
I will take you home
I will take you home
Gonna carry you back home
In my arms
I will take you home

Written by John Barlow and Brent Mydland

Song Lyric Sunday 21 June 2026