You Don't Have To Cry
Crosby Stills Lyrics
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Do you think of me and how you left me cryin'?
Are you thinkin' of telephones, and managers
And where you got to be at noon?
You are living a reality I left years ago
It quite nearly killed me
In the long run it will make you cry
Make you crazy and old before your time
I won't argue right or wrong
But I have time to cry, my baby
You don't have to cry
I said cry my baby, you don't have to cry
I said cry my baby, you don't have to cry
In the mornin' when you rise
Do you think of me and how you left me cryin'?
Are you thinkin' of telephones, and managers
And where you got to be at noon?
You are living a reality I left years ago
It quite nearly killed me
In the long run it will make you cry
Make you crazy and old before your time
And the difference between me and you
I won't argue right or wrong
But I have time to cry, my baby
You don't have to cry
I said cry my baby, you don't have to cry
I said cry my baby, you don't have to cry
In Crosby Stills' song "You Don't Have to Cry," the lyrics speak to the pain and heartbreak of a spurned lover. The song starts with a series of questions, asking if the person who left is thinking of the one who was left crying, or is instead preoccupied with the mundane details of their current life. The singer of the song recognizes that the life that his former partner is living is the very one he left years ago, and that it almost killed him. He warns that this lifestyle will ultimately make the other person cry and age faster, and reveals that the key difference between them is that he allows himself time to cry, while the other person doesn't need to.
The message of the song is a bittersweet one, as it acknowledges the pain of heartbreak and the difficulties of moving on, but also suggests that there is a way to find peace and healing. By allowing oneself the time and space to grieve, one can come out stronger and wiser in the end. The lyrics are simple but poignant, and the melody is hauntingly beautiful.
Line by Line Meaning
In the mornin' when you rise
Every morning when you wake up
Do you think of me and how you left me cryin'?
Do you remember how you made me cry and left me?
Are you thinkin' of telephones, and managers
Are you thinking of work and deadlines?
And where you got to be at noon?
And where you have to be at noon?
You are living a reality I left years ago
You're living the life I walked out of years ago
It quite nearly killed me
It almost destroyed me
In the long run it will make you cry
Ultimately it will make you feel emotional
Make you crazy and old before your time
It will drive you insane and age you prematurely
And the difference between me and you
The contrast between you and I
I won't argue right or wrong
I won't argue about who is right or wrong
But I have time to cry, my baby
But I have the liberty to cry, my dear
You don't have to cry
You don't have to feel sad
I said cry my baby, you don't have to cry
I'm telling you to cry, my dear, but you don't have to
I said cry my baby, you don't have to cry
I'm saying it again, cry if you need to, but it's not necessary
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Stephen A Stills
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind