Pretty little El
Was just turning eleven
When her daddy got the letter
Had to go to war-
Didn't have a choice.
He was gonna miss her.

He held her close
She said "Daddy, don't,
But when do you have to go?"

He playfully mussed up her hair
For what might be the last time
They had both seen better years
But he knew she would survive
He kissed the top of her head
Then he looked into her eyes and said

(Chorus:)
It's better if you don't know
Baby it's okay
I might leave you tomorrow
But I'm here with you today
So just
Close your eyes
Hold me tight
It's all gonna be okay
It's better if you don't know
It's better that way

Five years passed-
Sixteen at last!
Momma couldn't stop her
The Willson boy liked her

They stayed out
Late at night
And talked beneath the stars
Kissin' in the rain
There was no pain
But she knew he'd break her heart

So she said
Hey there, Willson boy,
I like you way too much
And my heart's not a toy
'Cause you've got me in love

So please tell me now
If you can somehow
Would you ever leave me alone?
Because if you did,
I just couldn't live,
'Cause I couldn't let you go

He smiled like he had many times before
And kissed her fingertips
The more that he had her, he loved her more,
But these words were on his lips

(Chorus)
It's better if you don't know
Baby it's okay
I might leave you tomorrow
But I'm here with you today
So just
Close your eyes
Hold me tight
It's all gonna be okay
It's better if you don't know
It's better that way

Ten years later
They were still together
Still holdin' strong
They'd been married for a year-
Nothing wrong here
And a baby was comin' along

Everything was fine
'Till six past nine
The doctor went to him
"Sir, the baby is alive
But your wife is gonna die.
If you'd like you can go in.
There was no way we could help-
She brought it on herself
When she refused our medicine."

The Willson boy walked in the room
He knew that she was leavin' soon

So he kissed her goodbye-
One last time
And said "Girl, I love you so.
I guess this is the end
You're leavin' me, then,
But why do you have to go?"

She smiled, for the last time
Her father had been right.
He hardly even heard
But these were her last words:

It's better if you don't know
Baby it's okay
I might leave you tomorrow
But I'm here with you today
So just
Close your eyes
Hold me tight
It's all gonna be okay
It's better if you don't know...
It's...better...that...way.