Papa Says Yes
“Papa Says Yes” is built around a little family truth that Aubrey seems to have figured out already: Mom may know the rules, but Papa is usually worth asking anyway.
One more cookie. One more ride. One more bubble. One more story. One more stuffed animal that probably did not need to come home. Somehow, “one more” has a way of turning into a whole afternoon when Papa is involved.
“Mom says, ‘Enough!’ Papa says, ‘Okay...’ Then waits about three seconds anyway.”
The fun of the song is in that familiar grandparent loophole, but underneath the jokes is something sweeter. Papa may bend a rule now and then, but what Aubrey is really learning is that there is always time for a hand to hold, a silly face, another story, or a cuddle when she needs one.
Mom keeps the boundaries in place and helps her grow. Papa just happens to believe that sometimes there is still room inside those boundaries for one more laugh.
Papa Says Yes
Intro
Mommy said, “Maybe.”
Mommy said, “Not yet.”
Hmm...
I know somebody else to ask.
PAPA!
Papa says...
YES!
Verse 1
Can I have a cookie
Before my dinner plate?
Mommy says, “No, sweetie,
You’re gonna have to wait.”
I look across the room
And find my favorite guy.
I whisper, “Papa... cookie?”
He tries not to smile.
He looks left.
He looks right.
Makes sure Mommy’s out of sight.
One little cookie
Couldn’t hurt...
Right?
Pre-Chorus
Mommy makes the rules
Because she loves me so.
Papa knows the rules...
He just has trouble saying no.
Chorus
Papa says YES!
One more time!
Papa says YES!
That sounds fine!
One more bubble,
One more ride,
One more trip
With Papa by my side.
Mom says, “Enough!”
Papa says, “Okay...”
Then waits about
Three seconds anyway.
When I’ve got one more place to go...
One more thing I want to show...
I know who understands me best.
Papa says YES!
Verse 2
Can we blow some bubbles?
“We already did.”
Can I push the button?
“Okay, kid.”
Can I ride again?
“That was number four.”
I hold up one finger...
We’re headed back for more.
“One more time!”
That’s what I say.
Funny how one more
Can last all day.
Papa counts differently
Than everybody else.
I think his numbers
Live on a different shelf.
Chorus
Papa says YES!
One more time!
Papa says YES!
That sounds fine!
One more bubble,
One more ride,
One more stuffed animal
Coming home tonight.
Mom says, “Really?”
Papa says, “What?”
Then gives me the look
Like we’ve both been caught.
When I’ve got somewhere else to go...
There’s one thing that I know:
Papa says YES!
Verse 3
We walk past the toy aisle.
I stop.
Papa stops too.
Mommy keeps on walking.
She knows exactly what I’ll do.
I pick up something sparkly.
Mom says, “Put it back.”
Papa studies it carefully...
Like he’s checking all the facts.
“Does she have one?”
“No.”
“Well, there you go!”
Mommy rolls her eyes.
I hug Papa.
Case closed.
Pre-Chorus
He says I’m getting bigger
Every single day.
But somehow when I’m with him,
There’s always time to play.
Bridge
Papa holds my hand
When we’re walking somewhere new.
He makes funny faces
When I’m feeling blue.
He listens to my stories
Even when they make no sense.
And if I need a cuddle,
There’s never an expense.
Mommy keeps me safe.
She teaches right from wrong.
And Papa’s there beside us,
Helping me grow strong.
Maybe he spoils me
Just a little bit...
Okay.
Maybe a lot.
But I’m good with it.
Breakdown
Can I jump?
YES!
Can I spin?
YES!
Can we do
The bubbles again?
YES!
Can I have
Another snack?
...What kind?
Can we stay
Five more minutes?
... Make it ten.
Final Chorus
Papa says YES!
One more time!
Papa says YES!
That sounds fine!
One more story,
One more song,
One more cuddle
Before I’m gone.
Mom has rules,
And Papa knows
Those rules are there
To help me grow.
But every now and then
There’s room for fun,
For one more laugh
When the day is done.
And when I need a hand to hold,
A silly joke,
A story told,
A place where I can just be me...
Papa’s right there beside me.
So when I’ve got one more request...
I already know my best bet.
I smile real big.
He tries to resist...
Papa says YES!
Outro
“Papa?”
Yes, Aubrey?
“Cookie?”
Did Mommy say no?
...
“Maybe.”
Aubrey...
“Pleeeeease?”
...
Half a cookie.
“Two?”
...
You negotiate like your mother.
Come here.