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 scared 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 were 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 old elephant heirloom

Was sitting 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 their photograph reminiscing all the years

Then catches her reflection and her eyes fill up with tears

Oh she cried until she laughed and 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