Emily comes home from school,

Grabs onto her daddy's hand,

He says "Baby girl what's wrong with you?"

She says "Please do not make me go back there again"

She said "I wish there was some way

To the make them stop it "

So he drives down to

That principles office and says

"I did not bring her up

So they could cut her down

I did not bring her here

So they could shut her out

I live my whole damn life

To see that little girl's smile

So why are tears pouring down that sweet face?

She was not brought up that way "

Emily's home late again

He sees that boy drive away

Oh but something's different this time,

She does not have too much to say

She said "He tried but

There's just some things I will not do "

And through the tears

She said "I could not do that to you"

And he said

"I did not bring you up

So he could wear you down

Take that innocent heart

And turn it inside out

I live my whole damn life

To see my little girl's smile

So do not let nobody take that away,

You were not brought up that way "

The phone rings on a rainy night

Says "It's officer tate"

He said "Sir, there's been an accident,

You better come down here right away,

A drunken driver missed an over pass,

And Emily, she's fading fast "

He says "God, I did not bring her up

To watch them lay her down

Nearly killed me today,

They put her own momma in the ground

Only thing that kept me alive,

Was that little girl's smile

So please do not take that away,

It will not be easy taking her today,

She was not brought up that way "

He stands over the hospital bed

She opens her eyes