This lyric appears in the first verse of the song, which tells the story of a young man who is struggling with his father's absence and is looking for guidance and love. He sings:
>"Only Daddy that'll walk the line
>And try to understand
>My mama says you're gone for good
>I know you'll never be around
>You told me that you'd be back soon
>When the work was done you'd come home
>But the doll that I bought Shirley
>For her birthday is now full of dust"
The line "Doll that I bought Shirley" highlights the boy's loneliness and longing for his father, as he is left to care for his sister and her forgotten birthday present.