She was 9 years old, goin' on grown
Shuffled around from home to home
And no matter what, wherever she went
She carried with her a stuffed elephant
And her new family knew she was afraid to say I love you
'Cause she thought she'd have to move away again someday
So she clutched her little friend as they tucked her in and then
Said it'll be okay, all you have to say is
Elephant ears
That'll be our code
When you can't say I love you
But you want someone to know
Sometimes it's what you see and not just what you hear
So all you have to say is elephant ears
But they loved that girl like she was their child
A sad little face became a big smile
And years passed by while they turned to grey
She took care of them 'til they passed away
And in their home sweet home she wondered all alone
Where memories lined the halls from wall to wall
And in their old bedroom her elephant heirloom
Was sittin' on the shelf and she said to herself
Elephant ears
That'll be our code
When you can't say I love you
But you want someone to know
Sometimes it's what you see and not just what you hear
So all you have to say is elephant ears
She stared at the photograph reminiscing all the years
Then catches her reflection and her eyes fill up with tears
Oh, she cried until she laughed when she realized instead
That her lips were forming the words I love you
When she said
Elephant ears
That'll be our code
When you can't say I love you
But you want someone to know
Sometimes it's what you see and not just what you hear
So all you have to say is elephant ears