Thinking about brilliant recent lyrics: I love Lynne Ahrens' Princess. Never have I gotten through it without crying buckets.
Here's another recent(ish) favorite:
I won't mind
Sitting by your cradle,
Singing to you softly
Far into the night.
I won't mind
Playing peek-a-boo for hours
To see that look of wonder,
Wonder and delight.
Soon they'll be asking, "Where is Baby's nose?
Where is Baby's shoe? Where is Baby's hat?"
"Clever little boy," they'll say.
"Lizzie taught him that."
I won't mind
Reading you a story,
Quacking like a duck,
Chirping like a bird.
I won't mind
When you ask me to repeat it
'Til you can say it with me,
Knowing every word.
You needn't worry if there's chocolate on your hands,
Jelly on your face, porridge on my skirt.
Run to me and I'll be there
To hold you when you hurt.
They'll say, "Auntie Lizzie can't say no."
They'll say, "Auntie Lizzie's spoiling you."
They'll say, "Auntie Lizzie's wrapped around your finger."
I'll say, "Yes, it's true."
I won't mind
Knowing that your mother
Showers you with kisses
Bakes your favorite bread.
I won't mind
When I see your father lift you
And swing you to his shoulders
High above my head.
They may be busy--I can take you skating,
I can take you sledding, flying down the hill.
If they won't build a snowman,
Auntie Lizzie will.
They'll say, "Auntie Lizzie holds too tight."
They'll say, "Auntie Lizzie can't let go."
They'll say, "Auntie Lizzie's really not your aunt, anyway."
You'll say, "No, that isn't so."
In my heart
I will keep a secret,
Foolish little secret
Hidden from the rest.
In my dream
You're my own, my very own,
And I blanket with you love
As I hold to you my breast.
Lizzie, he's not yours,
Lizzie in his life, your part is very small.
But if one day a toy should break
Or maybe playing patty-cake
You call me Mama by mistake
I won't mind at all.
--"I Won't Mind", Annie Kessler & Libby Saines
