Lyrics
Verse 1
Dear Father, don’t you ever feel like skipping church?
Not like you’d leave us in the dirt
But haven’t you seen it all before now?
Dear Father, don’t you tire of all our hype
That the perfect worship night
Could somehow conjure up your presence?
But you’ve promised if we’re only two or three
There in the middle’s where you’ll always be
Even when our feelings let us down
And though you could sing melodies we’ve never known
Preach more beautifully than Chrysostom
You’re just pleased we’ve gathered in your name
Dear Father, dear Father
Dear Father, don’t you feel like skipping church?
Verse 2
Dear Father, do I really have to go?
That family in the middle row
Have had it in for me for years now
Dear Father, can’t you see how we get on?
Nursing grudges like a bone
Or like some precious sickly infant
But your angels rejoice when a single sheep
Raised on your shoulders from the darkest deep
Joins the flock, and finds itself at home
And we’re all delighted when a faith so new
Casts fresh wonder on the way that you
Grasp their newborn finger, oh so tight
Dear Father, dear Father
Dear Father, don’t you feel like skipping church?
Verse 3
Dear Father, well I guess, if truth be told
Unlike me you don’t grow old
You don’t grow cynical or weary
Dear Father, is it possible you’re fun?
Just like a child, forever young?
Fresh each morning with forgiveness?
Do you jump for joy at an open flower?
Mix your paints in a pulsing star
Whisper songs of love in youthful ears?
And in your infinite vitality
Every time we sing of your victory
Do you love to shout, “Again! Encore!”?
Dear Father, dear Father
Dear Father, don’t you feel like skipping church?
Ending
Dear Father, you’ll be there again, I’m sure
Dear Father, give me five, I’ll grab my keys…
Dave Whitcroft
After G.K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy, and Psalm 104
© 2025 KDMusic
