Butterfly Kisses

Album: Butterfly Kisses (Shades of Grace) (1997)
Charted: 56 10
Play Video
  • There's two things I know for sure
    She was sent here from heaven
    And she's daddy's little girl
    As I drop to my knees by her bed at night
    She talks to Jesus, and I close my eyes.
    And I thank God for all of the joy in my life
    Oh, but most of all, for

    For butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer
    Stickin' little white flowers all up in her hair
    "Walk beside the pony
    Daddy, it's my first ride"
    "I know the cake looks funny
    Daddy, but I sure tried"
    Oh, with all that I've done wrong
    I must have done something right
    To deserve a hug every morning
    And butterfly kisses at night

    Sweet sixteen today
    She's looking like her mamma
    A little more every day
    One part woman, the other part girl
    To perfume and makeup
    From ribbons and curls
    Trying her wings out in a great
    Big world but I remember

    Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer
    Stickin' little white flowers all up in her hair
    "You know how much I love you daddy
    But if you don't mind
    I'm only gonna kiss you on the cheek this time"
    Oh with all that I've done wrong
    I must have done something right
    To deserve her love every morning
    And butterfly kisses at night

    All the precious time
    Oh like the wind, when the years go by
    Precious butterfly
    Spread your wings and fly

    She'll change her name today
    She'll make a promise
    And I'll give her away
    Standing in the bride room
    Just staring at her
    She asked me what I'm thinking
    And I said "I'm not sure
    I just feel like I'm losing my baby girl"
    Then she leaned over, gave me

    Butterfly kisses, with her mama there
    Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair
    "Walk me down the aisle daddy, it's just
    About time"
    "Does my wedding gown look pretty Daddy?"
    "Daddy don't cry"
    Oh with all that I've done wrong
    I must have done something right
    To deserve her love every morning
    And butterfly kisses
    I couldn't ask God for more, man, this is
    What love is
    I know I've gotta let her go, but I'll always
    Remember
    Every hug in the morning, and butterfly kisses Writer/s: Randy Keith Thomas, Robert Mason Carlisle
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 19

  • Lori from Scranton, PaI always thought this song was so damn creepy. I can't be the only one.
  • Cath Richards from Kingaroy, Qld, AustraliaI first heard this song in early 1992, a couple of months before I was due to get married. I was in the car driving home from work and I was in tears as I thought about my dad walking me down the aisle in a few months time. I fell in love with the song and the works of Bob Carlisle, I had to buy the album which I did from America, and I have about 7 of his albums now, including one from the Allies!
  • Jonathan Lancaster from Wisconsinplease help. When this was first released, the video that accompanied it began with him sitting outdoors while 2 children ran around him playing. Later, it was re-released as a video with essentially his face on close-up on a shadowed room as he sang the song.
    I am looking for the original video. Does ANYONE know how to acquire this FIRST version?
  • Lou from Omaha, NeI don't understand how Bob can sing this song without crying. I can't even listen to it with a dry eye. One of the most beautiful songs in the world. My daughter just turned her sweet 16 recently. Two out of the three phases of the song already passed. The third phase will be listening to it for our father/daughter dance. A moment, I hope won't come for a while longer.
  • Lee from Mayodan, NcIf you know Bob Carlisle only for his daddy ballad "Butterfly Kisses", you may not realize he made his mark first as a pop/rocker rather than an adult contemporary crooner.The Christian group "Allies" paired Carlisle with Randy Thomas in a band that sold respectably in Christian circles through the 80s and early 90s.
    LeeV.Mayodan,N.C.
  • Esskayess from Dallas, TxThis song came out just weeks before my daughter was born. Hard to put a crib together when you're eyes are teary.

    She'll be "trying her wings out" soon.
  • Camille from Toronto, OhI was almost 40 when this song came on the radio and my dad said he liked it. I thought it so odd at the time because my dad was not the sweet, sentimental type but a recovering alcoholic who'd made both good & bad choices in his life. And we were not a huggy, kissy family. But he had 7 kids and through everything we all still loved him altho we were each very independent of him. Well, it was later that I figured the song probably put into words what he felt. Especially the part "with all that I've done wrong I musta done something right". Because all his kids turned out okay. I think he told me he liked the song because he knew I'd figure out the deeper meaning as it applied to his life and that of his wife & kids.
  • Tryphina from Johannesburg, South Africathe first time i heard this song was at my Husband's brother's wedding in Colorado. Eric and Ashleigh Yamoah were getting married. And Ashleigh danced with her Dad Bob Thiele, almost everyone was in tears including me. And i heard it again today 13 Jan 2010 here in South Africa on the radio, i was driving to work and i could not stop the tears from rolling down my cheeks. I Love this Song. And one day when my daughter gets married, i would like her to dance with her father to this song.
    Tryphina Yamoah. South Africa
  • Karen from Manchester, NhMy husband couldn't make it (not through lack of trying) to his oldest daughter's wedding. She totally understood, but made a beautiful gesture. When the "Daddy/Daughter" dance was announced, "Butterfly Kisses" came on...but she asked that no one enter the dance floor. She and my husband called it "Missing Man Formation". The song will always be special between them, and also between him and the 2 daughters he and I have together.
  • Johnna from Helsinki, FinlandI love this song...I am thinking about dancing to this song for my senior song and inviting my dad because he wants to dance with me to this song at my wedding and I think that it would be nice to dance to it for him and show him that I love him cause my love for my father can't be explained in words. I know I have hurt him but I can't forgive myself for what I have done. I love you Daddy!!!
  • Joanne from Sault Ste Marie, OnMy father has been gone for 11 years and it is still hard to believe. Before he passed away we went to my cousins wedding and him and I dance to this song together. He said this will be your wedding song day when you find that right guy. Everytime I hear this song it brings tears to my eyes because I miss my dad a lot . Even at holidays and everyday .I love you daddy.Have a good night and have happy dreams daddy. Your daughter loves you
  • Blake from London, United KingdomCompletely gorgeous. I remember I had a real tough guy friend who had lost his baby girl when his wife tried to have abortion. Obviously, he didn't support this but he didn't seem to be trouble about it either. But when I showed him this song he cried which showed just how much really he missed his little girl. That's how good this song is.
  • Donns from Salineville, OhThis song is so beautiful. The first time i heard it i cried, It reminds me of me and my father when i was little.....I am definately playing this song at my wedding!!!!

    -Donna, Ohio
  • Caitlin from Brisbane, AustraliaI own both of Bob Carlisle's albums and this song is by far my favourite. It brings both my father and i to tears everytime we hear it. The first time i heard it...when i was about 12 i decided that i would use it for my father daughter dance at my wedding...eight years later i still haven't changed my mind
  • Caitlin from Adelaide, Australia**good one**
    This song os exquiside, i love the fact it is written by Bob carlisle and written for his daughter.
    i am 15 years old and my father passed away when i was 6. I recently learnt this was his favourite song. I feel like he wants me to know how much he loves me.
    i can't remember very much about my father, but i do know how much he loved me, this song just made me realise it even more.
    i am going to play this song for many years to come and dedicate it to my father.
  • Caitlin from Adelaide, AustraliaThis song is exquiside, i love the fact it is written by Bob Carlisle and written for his daughter. im 15 years old and my father passed away when i was 6. I recently learnt this was his favourite song. I feel like he wants me to know how much he loves me. I can't remember very much about my father, but i do know how much, this song just made me realise it even more. I am going to play this song for many years to come!!
  • Cory from Morden, CanadaThere are several versions of this song, including one by "The Raybons" (former Shenandoah lead singer Marty Raybon and his brother) and Jeff Carson. Carlisle himself has said that he brought his daughter and wife to tears when he played this for her for the first time (she was 16 at the time).

    Carlisle's version was the biggest hit on the Country charts, though the others did make some noise.
  • Amanda from Tiption, InThis song is awsome!! I love it! It is my dad and i's song. I am going to play it at my wedding!!
  • Destiny from Gresham, Orthis song is so beautiful. when i first heard this song i just fell in love and i am playing this song for my wedding no doubt!!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jay, Peaches, Spinderella and other Darrining Victims

Jay, Peaches, Spinderella and other Darrining VictimsSong Writing

Just like Darrin was replaced on Bewitched, groups have swapped out original members, hoping we wouldn't notice.

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.

How The Beatles Crafted Killer Choruses

How The Beatles Crafted Killer ChorusesSong Writing

The author of Help! 100 Songwriting, Recording And Career Tips Used By The Beatles, explains how the group crafted their choruses so effectively.

Metallica

MetallicaFact or Fiction

Beef with Bon Jovi? An unfortunate Spandex period? See if you can spot the true stories in this Metallica version of Fact or Fiction.

Vince Clarke

Vince ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

An original member of Depeche Mode, Vince went on to form Erasure and Yaz.

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete BlondeSongwriter Interviews

The singer/bassist for Concrete Blonde talks about how her songs come from clairvoyance, and takes us through the making of their hit "Joey."