You'll Never Know
Willie Nelson & Family Lyrics

The lyrics to Willie Nelson and Family's "You'll Never Know" express the deep love and affection the singer has for someone who may not fully understand or appreciate it. The first two lines set up the premise: "You'll never know just how much I love you / You'll never know just how much I care." Despite the singer's efforts to express their feelings, they feel they cannot adequately convey the depth of their affection. Even if they tried to hide it, their love would still be evident.

The chorus emphasizes the urgent need for the person to understand the singer's love before it's too late: "You ought to know for heaven I told you so / A million or more times / You'll never know if you don't know now." The use of "heaven" suggests the weight and importance of the message, as though it's a spiritual truth that can't be ignored. The repetition of the phrase "You'll never know" in the chorus drives home the sense of missed opportunity and regret.

The second verse repeats the first one, with some slight variations in wording, and adds a bit of a lament: "You went away and my heart went with you." The phrase "I speak your name in my every prayer" shows the intensity of the singer's devotion and the centrality of this person in their life. The final lines repeat the chorus, with the singer admitting that they don't know how to prove their love in any other way.

Overall, "You'll Never Know" is a heartfelt plea for the object of the singer's affection to finally recognize and appreciate their love, before it's too late.