Dedicated to Emilie Parker, who was killed in the school shooting in Newton, Connecticut, on December 14th, 2012.

Early morning
Sunrise smile
I twirl her around
She’s such a big girl now
Already six years old
But my girl Emilie, she’ll always be
Daddy’s little girl to me

Early morning
Off to school
She turns and she smiles
Oh how I love that girl
My little angel, walking away
Never could I’ve guessed
That this would be her last day

Early morning
Spent in class
Dreaming through the clear glass
When suddenly there was a shot
And a child fell, blood running hot
Screams and cries filled the air
As a man took lives without a care
Bullets flew, met their target
As he shot them, his feelings forgotten
Blood spilt, life fled
Till all lay on the floor, shot dead
Then with a cry,
The gunman aimed
His vile weapon at his heart
Took his own life in his hands
And with it, bade his soul depart

Early morning
The air is filled
With the cries of the mourning
Of loved ones still
Life is now fraught
With the pain and anguish
That evil has wrought
Life has been lost
Families broken
Hearts wracked with grief
As we remember those taken
But in the midst of the pain,
We hear a small voice
Reminding us not to fear
Evil has not won this time
We’ll again be with those we hold dear
They are gone on, to a better place
Surrounded by God’s unending grace

Early morning
Sun breaking through
As I thank God for His mercies anew
My heart is still wracked with grief
But I have now come to this belief
I will see my Emilie again
Twirl her around in the wind
Hold her close to my heart
And never, ever, shall we part.