I said, I sure had a real nice time tonight
This was my first New Year’s dance
You were beautiful and the band was alright
Shame about your curfew, would’ve liked to had the chance
Just to kiss you into 1941
Then you kissed me, whispering as time and I stood stunned

Don’t go, don’t go, don’t go
I know, I know, I know you gotta get
But don’t go just yet

You said I sure had a real nice time last night
The wedding flowers strewn ‘round the room
I knew that marrying you meant America too
But Uncle Sam sure does plan one crummy honeymoon
Then boom went the bandstand and the warships on the pier
As you burrowed in my peacoat and you choked beneath their cheers

Don’t go, don’t go, don’t go
I know, I know, I know you gotta get
But don’t go just yet

Looking back at fifty years now since that kiss at your door
At those giddy newlyweds, through the weeping and war
At every monumental moment, at all the best of my life
From your doorstep I had known it
You were the rest of my life
I sure had a real nice time tonight
Reliving old New Years with you
Hardly noticed the nurses and these damned machines
All these supposed experts don’t know you like I do
They don’t know that young girl stubborn as the statue of a mule
They know nothing of my woman in the whirlwind keeping cool
We both know what’s coming’s coming
Honey, humor an old fool

Don’t go, don’t go, don’t go
I know, I know, I know you gotta get
But don’t go
Don’t go
Just yet