No Charge – George Jones

My little girl came up to me in the kitchen this evening while I was fixing supper
And she handed me a piece of paper she’d been writin’ on
And after wiping my hands on my apron I read it and this is what she said

For mowin’ the yard – 5 dollars
For makin’ my own bed this week – 1 dollar
Goin’ to the store – 50 cents
Playin’ with my sister while you went to the store – 25 cents
Takin’ out the trash 1 dollar
Gettin’ a good report card – 5 dollars
And for rakin’ the yard – 2 dollars
Total owed 40 dollars and 75 cents

Well I looked at her standing there expectantly
And a thousand mem’ries flashed through my mind
And so I picked up the pen and turning the paper over
This is what I wrote

For the nine months I carried you growin’ inside me – no charge
For the nights I sat up with you doctored and prayed for you – no charge
For the toys food and clothes and for wiping your nose – there’s no charge
When you add it all up the full cost of my love is – no charge

Well when she finished readin’ she had great big old tears in her eyes
And she looked up at me and said mommy I sure do love you
Then she took the pen and in great big letters she wrote
PAID IN FULL
When you add it all up the cost of real love is no charge