I Set You Free

Words and Music by Wade Wooldridge

A song for Mark and Scott, when they decided as teenagers to pull back from me.

I knew this day would come, but I thought I had another year or two.
I know what must be done, my son. I shake your hand and give your life to you.

I let you go. I set you free. I'll watch you grow;
I long to see the man that you become eventually.
I let you go. I let it be. You don't yet know how hard it is for me
To say these words: I love you so. I set you free.

I thought I'd have more time to share with you the lessons I have learned.
But as the years unwind, you'll find, you can't flip back the pages that have turned.

I let you go. I set you free. I'll watch you grow;
I long to see the man that you become eventually.
I let you go. I let it be. You don't yet know how hard it is for me
To say these words: I love you so. I set you free.

I never thought you had to be like me.
I never asked you for perfection.
This is the right place for you to be.
But still it hurts to feel this rejection.

So every day my prayer is that you grow up strong and kind and smart.
That you live full out and dare to share the perfect gift that lives inside your heart.

I let you go. I set you free. I'll watch you grow;
I long to see the man that you become eventually.
I let you go. I let it be. You don't yet know how hard it is for me
To say these words: I love you so. I set you free.