Lord, I Just Can't Keep From Crying
Blind Willie Johnson 1928,

Chorus: Lord, I just can't keep from crying sometimes
Lord, I just can't keep from crying sometimes
When my heart's full of sorrow
And my eyes are filled with tears
Lord, I just can't keep from crying sometimes

My mother often told me
Angels [bonded] your life away
She said I wouldn't complain
But trust in God and pray
I'm on the King's Highway
I'm travelin' everyday

[chorus]

My mother, she's in glory
Thank God, I'm on my way
Father, he's gone too
And sister she could not stay
I'm trusting Him everyday
He will bear my burden away

[chorus]

I thought when she first left me
I'd grieve for a little while
Soon it all would be over
And I'd journey on with a smile
But the thought as I get older
I think of what I told her

[chorus]

Al Kooper later reworked it for versions with the Blues Project and others, and his version was covered by Ten Years After:

Chorus: I can't keep from crying sometimes
I can't keep from crying sometimes
Oh momma she's dead and gone
And I know I'm all alone
I can't keep from crying sometimes

Early in the morning
About the break of day
I fall down on my knees
I fall down and I pray
I think about my woman
My woman who's long gone

[chorus]

Later in the evening
I watch the sun go down
I think about my woman
But my woman Lord she ain't around
My heart is filled with sadness
And my eyes are filled with tears

[chorus]