Daddy hugs his little man
says son I've got to go
and he pulls out of the drive and disappears
as they walk back in the house
the young boy asks his mama
where does daddy go when he leaves here

mama tells her little man
your daddy's got a job
and when he goes to work they pay him for his time
well the young boy gets to thinking
and he heads up to his bedroom
and comes running back with a quarter and four dimes

(chorus:)
and says mama how much time will this buy me
is it enough to take me fishing or throw a football in the street
if I'm a little short then how much more does daddy need
to spend some time with me

the young boy tells his mama
now I know daddy's busy
cause most times when he gets home it's dark outside
but tell him I've got me some pennies
saved up from the tooth fairy
and I keep ‘em in my piggy bank and I believe there's thirty-five

(chorus:)
and mama how much time will that buy me
is it enough to take me camping in a tent down by the creek
if I'm a little short then how much more does daddy need
to spend some time with me

mama how much time will this buy me
is it enough for just an afternoon a day or a whole week
if I'm a little short then how much more does daddy need
to spend some time with me

mama takes her little man
sets him on her lap
and starts dialing up some numbers on the phone
she says daddy come home early
you don't have to chase that dollar
cause your little man has got one here at home