I was shopping at the grocery
That morning mama dialed me
Your Papa D just passed away
Those six words is all she’d say

I remember after hanging up
Going down the aisle buying stuff
As if the words weren’t said to me
Couldn’t face the reality

I remember being just a kid
Papa D would set me on his knee
I’d pretend it was a rodeo
And that knee was like a bucking bull

And sure enough he’d buck me down
I’d laugh and tumble to the ground
And he’d look me in the eye and say
Words I’ve carried every day

Life will have its ups and downs
Beat you up, push you around
Try to take the fun away
But it’s really just a game to play
So, when it knocks you to the ground
Here’s a secret that I found
Jump back up and ride again
Do that, and you’ll always win


The funeral service came and went
Kinda like the life he lived
Ironic for a man who’d spent
So much time with so much to give

And my little boy came up to me
Tears were running down his cheek
So, I had him jump up on my knee
And said, let’s take a ride for Papa D

Life will have its ups and downs
Beat you up, push you around
Try to take the fun away
But it’s really just a game to play

So, when it knocks you to the ground
Here’s a secret that I found
Jump back up and ride again
Do that, and you’ll always win