When my niece was born, my sister-in-law asked me if I would consider writing a song for her. We agreed that I would write a song for her to play for her on her first birthday.

Nearly a year later, I found myself without a song with a mere three days to go before my niece's birthday party. So I sat down with pad, pencil, and acoustic guitar to capture what I thought were good things to say to a new person. I wanted to "pass on wisdom," but I wanted it to be something fairly simple, since I was, after all, singing to a one year old. I also thought that her name would make a perfect song title - "Madeline Rose." Three days later, there I was sitting directly in front of her, surrounded by all sorts of family and friends, singing and strumming. Much to my delight, she was smiling and bouncing through the whole song, and it ended up being a big hit at the party. And to this day it'ss one of my most requested songs.

I thought a lot about what to say
On the day of your birth or any other day
You got so much living ahead
Would it ever really matter what I said today

So I wrote down a few words to leave with you
Whenever you’re feeling blue that you could listen to
You are beautiful and you are smart
Always pay attention to what’s in your heart and who

It’s not always easy no it seldom seems fair
It’s fine to change your mind or the color of your hair
Don’t accept the bad ‘cause that’s the way it’s always been
‘cause everything changes every now and then

CHORUS
you picked a fine time to be alive
they picked a mighty fine time for you to arrive
the fish keep swimming and the birds still fly
it starts at the ground and reaches up through the sky
you picked a fine time to be alive
they picked a mighty fine time for you to arrive
the dogs keep barking and the cats meow
plan for tomorrow but live for now

Madeline Rose nobody knows what you will see
25 years from now where will you be
as long as you are laughing, as long as you are free
as long as there’s a smile waiting just for me

CHORUS

as long as you are laughing, as long as you are free
as long as there’s a smile waiting just for me

CHORUS