Have you heard this song before? It has a double meaning!?

Question

No Charge
(written by Harlan Howard)
(recorded by Shirley Caesar)

My sister's little boy, came in the kitchen
one evening while she was fixing supper,
and he handed her a piece paper
he had been writing on.
And after wiping her hands on an apron,
she took it in her hands and read it,
and this is what it said...

For mowing the yard, five dollars,
and for making up my own bed this week, one dollar.
For going to the store, fifty cents.
and playing with little brother while you went shopping, twenty-five cents.

Taking out the trash, one dollar,
and for getting a good report card, five dollars.
And for raking the yard, two dollars,
total owed, fourteen dollars and seventy-five cents.

Well, she looked at him standing there and expecting,
and a thousand memories flashed through her mind;
so she picked up pen and she turned the letter over,
and this is what she wrote:

Verse 1:
For the nine months I carried you,
growing inside me, no charge.

For the nights I sat up with you,
doctored you and prayed for you, no charge.

For the time and tears,
and the costs through the years,
there is no charge,

When you add it all up,
the full cost of my love is no charge.


Verse 2:
For the nights filled with dread,
and the worries ahead, no charge.

For the advice and the knowledge,
and the costs of your college, no charge.

For the toys, school, and clothes,
and for wiping your nose,
there's no charge, my son.

When you add it all up,
the full cost of my love is no charge.


After that mama finished talking to that little boy,
he looked up at her with great, big, ole' tears in his eyes
and he said, "Mama, I sure do love you".
But then he reached out and he got the letter,
then he turned it over and he wrote in great big words,
"paid in full".

When you add it all up,
the full cost of my love is no charge.

Answer 1

Yep, sure could. There are many, many songs in the pop market which speak of sacrificial love which with very minor changes could be sung in church to God himself.

You Raise me Up isn't necessarily about Jesus, but it sure fits.
You've Got A Friend is great in church, with a little tweaking of some of the lines.

The one you mention is a perfect example I had never thought of before.

Thanks.

Answer 2

Yes, I've heard it many times before. The song becomes more meaningful once you've had children. Loving someone shouldn't come with a price and this song tells about the things a mother does for her children because she loves them.

Answer 3

this is the way love is and always should be. the pain and suffering each endures is well worth the happiness and pleasure of seeing others we love grow in various ways and then in turn they can help others so the cycle can and will continue

Answer 4

Never heard taht song before but it is good.

k1

Answer 5

wow! that a really good song! I've never heard it!

Answer 6

not heard this before ... it is gorgeous !