I Wish There Was More That I Could Give

(álbum: C. W. McCall & Co. - 1979)

I found her setting on a Sioux City park bench, on a late November afternoon
Me, I was just drifting through. She said she was fourteen, and running away from home
And no, she wouldn't mind some company. So I sat down and smoked my last cigarette; she pulled out a candy bar
And we started talking about the how's and the whys, and we watched the first snow start to fall

I said, "Hey, little girl. I know the rest of the world looks a lot better to you now
But you know, you gotta hold onto your home. 'Cause home is what's gonna keep you warm
So if you gotta run someplace, run on outta this here park, and back home
Now, I don't have no money to help get you there, but here: take my coat. I can't let you go cold"

I wish there was more that I could give you
Though I know it's your own life to live
But you're so alone
And far away from home
I wish there was more that I could give

Standing out at the edge a' town, leaning on the Route 20 sign, snow blowing all around, I thought about my home, and how far away it was
And then as night come on and the wind picked up, I started thinking about the cold, and the blizzard I might be spending the night with
And I realized I didn't have a coat anymore. I was alone. And somewhere, so was that little girl

Well, along about midnight I was ready to say my prayers, 'cause the road was gone and I wasn't far behind
And then I saw some lights, whirling and flashing, and a patrolman helped me into a warm car
And there inside was my little runaway friend; and she wrapped my coat around me
Well, all I could say was "Thank you both, for saving my life."
But the patrolman looked me in the eye and said, "Thank you, for sending my little girl back home to me"

I wish there was more that I could give you
Though I know it's your own life to live
But you're so alone
And far away from home
I wish there was more that I could give