Why can't you be like the others?
Try harder
Don't you care
Can't you see
I'll be able to love you
IF...
You stop disappointing me
Look how pretty the others are
See how nice they dress
Try harder
Look better
How can you think that mess of hair looks fine?
I'll be able to love you
WHEN...
I'm proud that you are mine
Momma I really tried to be like the others
Tried so desperately
I cared with everything in me and still do
Sadly I never seemed to manage achieving your IF's and WHEN's
And if I could only have another chance to yearn a place in your heart
I would not disappoint you again
Why can't you be like the others
See how well the get along
Try harder
At least act like you care
learn from your mistakes
Jesus, girl start acting like a young lady should and stop being so head strong
I'll be able to love you
IF...
You stop doing everything wrong
See how I wipe the others tears away
Whenever they feel harm
Be more lovable
Don't you care
Try harder to earn a place within my loving arms
I'll be able to love you
WHEN...
You start showing some grace and charm
Momma I tried so hard to be like them
Tried hard to stop acting like me
Wish you could of noticed
I know your smiling down at them
proudly from heaven above
I'm still working on achieving
my IF's and WHEN's
So if by chance in heaven we should meet again
They'll be a place in your heart just for me
your hands will softly wipe all my tears away
Holding me in you arms so tenderly
Then with no mention of IF's or WHEN's
You speak the long wanted words
I love you for the person you are today