No Charge

Johnny Cash · Other Songs - Johnny Cash

Our little boy came up to his mama in the kitchen this evening

While she was fixing supper

And he handed her a piece of paper he'd been writin' on

And after wipin' her hands on her apron she read it

and this is what it said



For mowing the yard 5 dollars

For making my own bed this week 1 dollar

For going to the store 50 cents

For playing with my little brother while you went shopping 25 cents

For taking out the trash 1 dollar

For getting a good report card 5 dollars

And for raking the yard 2 dollars

Total amount owed 14 dollars and 75 cents



Well as mama looked at him standing there expectantly

And I could see the memories flashing through her mind

And so she picked up the pen and turning the paper over

This is what she wrote and I read it to him



For the nine months she carried you growing inside her, no charge

For the nights we sat up with you,

doctoring you, praying for you, no charge

For the time and the tears that you've caused through

the years there's no charge

When you added all up the full cost of our love is no charge



For the nights filled with dread and the worries ahead, no charge

For advice and for knowledge and the cost of your college, no charge

For the toys food and clothes and for wiping your nose there's no charge

When you added all up the full cost of our love is no charge



Well when I finished readin' he had big tears in his eyes

And he looked up at his mother and he said mama I sure do love you

Then he took the pen and in great big letter he wrote Paid In Full

When you added all up the full cost of our love is no charge