[Verse]
When I was small I had dolls, some could walk
Some could talk, some could cry
Others would wet when I d lie em down
And like a mother I d rock them to sleep with some old melody
One I had learned at my mother s knee
[Verse]
Their tiny eyes would close on a hinge
Not to open til I sat em up straight
With just one sad cry they d lie there
Til I decided the time had come to play
Then one day I sang my song
Sang it for the last time
Left them there to lie forever in the dark
[Bridge]
By and by I went to school
Learned of life and all it s mysteries
I felt its pleasures after sundown in the park
Where at first I walked alone, but soon walked with others
Til the one to hold my hand had that touch to set me off
I got married and had children, a house and furniture
A dentist, a doctor to monitor each cough
[Verse]
Then one day I called my daughter, I called her by her little name
I found her playing house in the dining room
The table was her room and books were her play-chairs
Every doll was dressed and working
Some with dustpans and some with brooms
And I sat down beside her to help her make her little home
My fingers fumbled with the snaps
I couldn t hold the Barbie coat
Then it clicked and I remembered
[Verse]
When I was small I had dolls, some could walk
Some could talk, some could cry
Others would wet when I d lie em down
And like a mother I d rock them to sleep with some old melody
One I had learned at my mother s knee
[Verse]
But you, you re like no doll
You don t fall asleep after I ve kissed you goodnight
Unlike your doll, you won t stay small
You ll grow and grow too soon, to take flight