Bigger Than His Dad

He has heard his country calling, and has fallen into line,

And he's doing something bigger than his daddy ever did;

He has caught a greater vision than the finest one of mine,

And I know to-day I'm prouder of than sorry for the kid.

His speech is soft and vibrant with the messages of truth,

And he says some things of duty that I cannot understand;

It may be that I'm selfish, but this ending of his youth

Is not the dream I cherished and it's not the thing I planned.

I only know he's bigger in his uniform to-day

Than I, who stand and watch him as he drills, have ever been;

That he sees a greater vision of life's purpose far away,

And a finer goal to die for than my eyes have ever seen.

I wish I felt as he does, wish I had his sense of right;

With the vision he possesses I should be supremely glad;

But I sometimes start to choking when I think of him at night —

The boy that has grown bigger, yes, and better than his dad.