Cry! Cry! Cry!
David Allan Coe Lyrics


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Drunk
Totally drained
On the verge of going crazy
On the edge of insane
I know you'd prayed I'd make it
But I never pulled through
I gave up on going on girl
Just like I gave up on you

But don't you cry darlin'
Though it's a cryin' shame
I was hooked on that whisky so bad
I didn't know my name when I died
Don't cry darlin'
You know it's not you're fault
I was stealin' time from the devil and I
Just got caught

You know Hon
David left you so long ago
He didn't want to darlin'
Aw but his dying words told you so
But that strong stuff
Aww it was always his weakness
But hell any man can be a fool
And I know that he was so ashamed and sorry
For all those bad things that he did to you

But don't you cry darlin'
Though it's a cryin' shame
I was hooked on that whisky so bad
I didn't know my name when I died
Don't cry darlin'
Well it's not you're fault
I was stealin' time from the devil and I
Just got caught

Don't you cry darlin'

Though it's a cryin' shame
I was hooked on that bottle so bad




I didn't know my name when I died
Don't cry darlin'

Overall Meaning

In David Allan Coe's song "Don," the singer is speaking from beyond the grave to his long lost love. He expresses his regret for the choices he made and how he ended up where he is now. He is drunk and drained, on the edge of sanity, but knows that his love had hoped he would make it through. However, he gave up on himself just as he had given up on her. He goes on to tell her that his addiction to whiskey led to his downfall and that it was not her fault. He apologizes for leaving her so long ago, but states that his addiction was always his weakness. In the end, he knows he was caught stealing time from the devil and that his drinking was the cause of his demise.


The song "Don" is a classic country ballad that speaks to the human condition. It explores the themes of addiction, regret, and lost love. It is a song that tugs at the heartstrings of the listener and reminds us all to live our lives with purpose and avoid the pitfalls that can lead to our downfall.


Line by Line Meaning

Drunk
Intoxicated and under the influence of alcohol


Totally drained
Completely exhausted and lacking any energy


On the verge of going crazy
Extremely mentally distressed and close to losing control


On the edge of insane
Extremely close to losing one's grip on reality and becoming insane


I know you'd prayed I'd make it
You had hoped for me to recover and get better


But I never pulled through
But unfortunately, I was never able to overcome my addiction


I gave up on going on girl
I lost hope for recovery and gave up on trying to keep going


Just like I gave up on you
I also gave up on our relationship and let it fall apart


But don't you cry darlin'
But please don't cry my dear


Though it's a cryin' shame
Though it is a sad and unfortunate situation


I was hooked on that whisky so bad
I was severely addicted to alcohol, specifically whiskey


I didn't know my name when I died
I was so heavily intoxicated that I lost touch with my own identity


You know it's not you're fault
Please understand that I was responsible for my own actions and choices, it was not your fault


I was stealin' time from the devil and I
I was engaging in reckless behavior and living dangerously


Just got caught
Unfortunately, I was not able to continue this way of life without negative consequences


David left you so long ago
David (the song's narrator) abandoned the relationship a long time ago


He didn't want to darlin'
David did not have the desire or ability to continue the relationship


Aw but his dying words told you so
But in the end, David's final words confirmed this reality for you


But that strong stuff
Alcohol, specifically whiskey


Aww it was always his weakness
It was David's Achilles heel and something he struggled with for a long time


But hell any man can be a fool
But any human being is capable of making mistakes and acting foolishly


And I know that he was so ashamed and sorry
David felt deep remorse and regret for his actions and behavior


For all those bad things that he did to you
For all of the harm and hurt that David caused in the relationship




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Dean Dillon

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

kdn3249

What a sad song. But it sounds like a cautionary tale for a lot of people (including some I have known!) Thanks for sharing it with us, Dodybelle!!!

Rob musso

no country has soul and the ability to fall into the song like the classics

Nicholas Eads

Takes me back to riding in the truck with my papaw, what a great song

buster boothbee

I love this song

DRAKO MILANO BEON DERAKA

My dad is a alcoholic an sometimes I don't understand him cause he so far gone I wish he would change

SeaFoamGuy 94

Awful close to home for me. Hope Mr. Coe never endured this

Larry Cox

Sadly I've lived this

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