It was written by Gene Autry, I believe. I have it on a great album by the Everly Brothers "Songs Our Daddy Taught Us."

The tune to the verse is almost identical to "Red River Valley," but the chorus departs from it slightly. Lyrics are:

In a vine-covered shack in the mountains, bravely fighting the battle of time,
Is a dear one who's weathered life's sorrows; 'Tis that silver-haired daddy of mine.

(Chorus) If I could recall all the heartaches, Dear Old Daddy, I've caused you to bear,
If I could erase those lines from your face, and bring back the gold to your hair,
If God would but grant me the power, just to turn back the pages of time,
I'd give all I own, if I could just atone, to that silver-haired daddy of mine.

I know it's too late, Dear Old Daddy, to repay for those sorrows and cares,
Though Dear Mother is waiting in heaven, just to comfort and solace you there. (Repeat chorus)

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 20-Mar-02.