SHE TRIES NOT TO CRY
(James Talley)

Laurie, she tries not to cry
For she knows the kids don't realise
But now and then her mind starts to wander
Back to that east Kentucky line
And she thinks of her mama and her papa
And the friends and kin she left behind
There in the shadow of the mountains
And, Lord, it is enough to make to you cry

Chorus:
No the sun don't shine
On the forest pine in Cleveland
And the redbird don't greet the mornin' light
And the moon looks so lost up in Cleveland
And the stars, they don't shine at night

But I couldn't find no work in east Kentucky
And at least I've got a factory job at night
Six nights a week I'm working here in Cleveland
And sometimes I think I want to die

Oh I wish I could go back to east Kentucky
There's got to be a better way of life
But now and then I really have to wonder
Lord, it's enough to make you cry

Words and music by James Talley
Source: James Talley 'Got No Bread'/'Tryin' Like the Devil' Bear Family BCD 15433.