These Three Words

When was the last time
That they heard you say
"Mother or father, I love you"?
And when was the last time
That they heard you say
"Daughter or son, I love you"?

Ones you say you cherish every day
Can instantly be taken away
Then you'd say "I know this can't be true"
When you never took the time
To simply tell them "I love you"

When was the last time
That they heard you say
"Sister or brother, I love you"?
And when was the last time
That they heard you say
"Darling or best friend, I love you"?

The one for whom you'd give your very life
Could be taken in the twinkling of an eye
Through your tears you'd ask "Why did you go?"
Knowing you didn't always show
Just how much you loved them so

These three words
Sweet and simple
These three words
Short and kind
These three words
Always kindle
An aching heart to smile inside

I know a family
Who hasn't a cent to their name
And yet the joy and love they have between them
They always claim
And when one's called from life
The survived mourn the lost
And will never be the same
Yet they rejoice
In knowing they gave them their all

These three words
Sweet and simple
These three words
Short and kind
These three words, these three words
Always kindle
An aching heart to smile inside

(These three words) these three words, sweet and simple, oh
(Sweet and simple) oh, sweet and simple
(These three words) these three words, these three words, these three words
(Short and kind) short, kind
(These three words) these three words, thanks for giving me free time, woman, for these three words
(Always kindle), they always kindle
(An aching heart) an aching heart, you can't let nobody's heart ache now
(To smile inside) you gotta learn to smile, you smile, you smile inside

(These three words) these three words