I wish you freedom   I wish you peace   I wish you nights of stars   That beckon you to sleep      I wish you heartache   That leaves you more of a man   I wish I could be there   But I can't      I wish you places   That sit so still   Where people never ever change   And never ever will      I wish I could hold you   And make you understand   I wish I could be there   But I can't      Be good for your mama   'Cause she'll need a hand to hold   Boy, she loves you   More than you'll ever know   There are rhymes and there are reasons   And times when nothing stayed the same   But you know my love still remains      I wish you wisdom   I wish you years   I wish you armies   To conquer all your fears      I wish you courage   For all that life demands   I wish I could be there   But I can't      Be good for your mama   'Cause she'll need a hand to hold   Boy, she loves you   More than you'll ever know   There are rhymes and there are reasons   And times when nothing stayed the same   But you know my love still remains      I wish we were together   I wish I was home   I wish there were nights   Where I was never alone      I know, I've said it   But I'll say it once again   I wish I could be there   But I can't