Lord, I Just Can't Keep From Crying

Subject: Lyr Add: AN' I CRY (from Vanessa Ayers)
From: Richie
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 08:56 PM

AN' I CRY- Traditional Spiritual As sung by Vanessa Ayers (Opera Ebony) arr. Eva A. Jessye/Sanders

1. Sometimes, I feel like... I'm down here by myself.
Sometime, I feel like... I'se down here by myself.
Sometime, I feel like... I'se down here by myself,
An' I stand, and fold my arms, an' I c-ry, c-ry, c-ry.
An' I stand, and fold my arms, an' I c-ry.

2. Sometime, I feel like... I'se on my journey home.
Sometime, I feel like... I'se on my journey home.
Sometime, I feel like... I'se on my journey home,
An' I stand, and fold my arms, an' I c-ry, c-ry, c-ry.
An' I stand, and fold my arms, an' I c-ry.

Subject: RE: Lord, I Just Can't Keep From Crying
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 06:22 PM

Harry's Blues Lyrics gives slightly different versions of some lines. I haven't heard the original Blind Willie version, so I offer these lines only for comparison.
verse 2 line 3- She said I would accomplish
verse 3 line 6- To bear my burdens away
verse 4 line 2- I'd pray for a little while

Eva Jessye arranged the spiritual fragments and was choral director for the original "Porgy and Bess" opera. The Jessye Choir can be heard on out-of-print albums of songs from "Porgy and Bess."

Unfortunately, there seem to be no recordings of other songs sung by this choir, which toured successfully years ago. Or maybe I just failed to find any.

Subject: Lyr Add: LORD, I JUST CAN'T KEEP FROM CRYING
From: Richie
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 03:16 PM

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]

Subject: Lord, I Just Can't Keep From Crying
From: Richie
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 03:12 PM

Hi,

"Lord, I Just Can't Keep From Crying" seems to be the same basic song as Eva Jessye's "An' I Cry." Do you agree?

Any earlier versions than Blind Willie's?

Anyone have Eva Jessye's 1927 lyrics?

Richie