Protected and sheltered me
From the 'evils of the world'
Seemed like the perfect father
To your little girl

Told me you loved me
Sang me silly songs
Gave me hugs and kisses
Made me feel like I belonged

By day, the perfect father
A hero a man of god 
Kind wise and thoughtful
But it was only a facade

The role playing always stopped 
As darkness grew near
Then emerged the man
I'd slowly learned to fear

At night the costume was removed
His true colors again revealed 
Now one could plainly see 
The monster he'd kept concealed

His soft face turned hard
Eyes dark and empty
I tried not to fear
As he looked at me

I knew what would happen
It was out of my control 
So I laid still
And tried to calm my soul

Try as I might
I could not hide my fears
My shaking and deep breathing 
Slowly turned to tears

I knew it was useless
My tears would not change a thing
But I couldn't hold them back
After so many days of hiding

I tried to understand 
It was his way of 'showing love'
I prayed and asked for comfort
From my father above

I cried out to the Lord
But received no reply
I came to understand that
On him I could not rely

I was in this alone
No one by my side
I had to keep it a secret
To no one would I confide