No Charge

(album: George & Tammy & Tina - 1975)

My little girl came up to me in the kitchen this evening while I was fixing supper
And she handed me a piece of paper she'd been writing on
And after wiping my hands on my apron I read it and this is what she said

For mowing the yard 5 dollars
For making my own bed this week 1 dollar
Going to the store 50 cents
Playing with my sister while you went to the store 25 cents
Taking out the trash 1 dollar
Getting a good report card 5 dollars
And for raking the yard 2 dollars
Total owed 40 dollars and 75 cents

Well I looked at her standing there expectantly
And a thousand mem'ries flashed through my mind
And so I picked up the pen and turning the paper over
This is what I wrote

For the nine months I carried you growing inside me no charge
For the nights I sat up with you doctored and prayed for you no charge
For the toys food and clothes and for wiping your nose there's no charge
When you add it all up the full cost of my love is no charge

Well when she finished reading she had great big old tears in her eyes
And she looked up at me and said mommy I sure do love you
Then she took the pen and in great big letters she wrote
PAID IN FULL
When you add it all up the cost of real love is no charge