Hey Dad, Grab the Keys

There was always a car packed full of laughter,

Four little girls and Mum in the back.

No map, no plans, just windows rolled down,

You’d say, “Let’s see where this old road’s at.”

You were the king of random adventures,

Never needed a reason to go.

You taught us memories matter more

Than all the things we’ll ever own.

You were outnumbered from the very start,

The only man in a house of girls.

But somehow you made each one of us feel

Like the centre of your world.

Hey Dad, grab the keys, where are we going?

Another random road with the windows rolled down.

Four little girls and Mum all singing,

While you’re laughing at the noise somehow.

From bowling nights to beach-side sunsets,

From sausage dinners to sneaky Macca’s runs,

You made the ordinary feel like magic—

God, didn’t we have fun.

Friday nights down at the bowling centre,

Chasing strikes and having a laugh.

You never cared who won the trophies,

You just loved having all of us there.

You’d dress up for every crazy party,

Wig and costume, never saying no.

You’d dance around and make us laugh,

Just to put on a little show.

Hey Dad, grab the keys, where are we going?

Another random road with the windows rolled down.

Four little girls and Mum all singing,

While you’re laughing at the noise somehow.

From bowling nights to beach-side sunsets,

From sausage dinners to sneaky Macca’s runs,

You made the ordinary feel like magic—

God, didn’t we have fun.

Beach days with sand stuck on our feet,

Salty hair and the sun going down.

And when Mum was gone, we’d all be waiting

To see what dinner you’d somehow throw around.

You could cook just about anything,

But sausages were your masterpiece.

And if the kitchen plans all fell apart,

There’d be sneaky Macca’s for a treat.

And there’s one memory I still carry,

One that never leaves my mind.

You stood up for me when I needed you,

And paid a price no dad should ever find.

Fourth-degree burns and scars forever,

A pain I still don’t know how to name.

Because you took the hurt upon yourself,

You took the pain that should’ve been mine.

Hey Dad, grab the keys, where are we going?

I’d do every mile all over again.

Every strike, every beach day, every silly costume,

I’d relive them from beginning to end.

From bowling nights to beach-side sunsets,

From sausage dinners to sneaky Macca’s runs,

You gave us a life full of memories—

And God, we had so much fun.

So here’s to the only man among five girls,

The one who always showed up and stayed.

My hero in the biggest moments,

And in the little memories we made.

Hey Dad… thanks for every road you took us down.