19. Don't Cry Sister
J.J. Cale featuring Leon Russell Lyrics


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Don't cry sister cry, it'll be alright in the morning
Don't cry sister cry, everything'll be just fine
Don't cry sister cry, it'll be alright, I tell you no lie
Don't cry sister cry, don't do it, don't do it

When Old Man Trouble knocks on your door
Don't give him no key, he just wants more
He'll turn your life to misery
Kick you down, just like me

Don't cry sister cry, it'll be alright, it'll be alright
Don't cry sister cry, everything'll be just fine
Woke downhearted and you feel so bad
Somebody wants something of nothing you had
Love don't come too easy, you see

A little bit of you and a little bit of me
Don't cry sister cry, it'll be alright, it'll be alright
Don't cry sister cry, everything'll be just fine
Everything'll be just fine
Everything'll be just fine




Don't cry sister cry, don't do it, don't do it
Don't cry sister cry, don't do it, don't do it

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of J.J. Cale and Eric Clapton's "Don't Cry Sister Cry" suggest that everything will be alright in the face of adversity. The song's titular advice to "Don't cry sister cry" serves as a soothing, reassuring message that the morning brings hope and a chance for renewal. The lines "Woke downhearted and you feel so bad/ Somebody wants something of nothing you had" indicate a situation where someone is feeling defeated, perhaps taken advantage of by another. However, the message of the song is that despite these trials, "everything'll be just fine".


The song contains a warning against giving in to negativity, represented by "Old Man Trouble" who "just wants more". Instead, the song encourages resilience and holding on to hope. The message is ultimately one of encouragement and empowerment, reassuring the listener that they can rise above hardship and come out on the other side.


Overall, "Don't Cry Sister Cry" is an optimistic song with a positive message of resilience and hope. The lyrics suggest that it is possible to overcome adversity with perseverance and that everything will ultimately be alright in the end.


Line by Line Meaning

Don't cry sister cry, it'll be alright in the morning
Don't worry sister, things will look better in the morning, so hold on and be strong


Don't cry sister cry, everything'll be just fine
There's no need to cry sister, everything will be alright in the end, no matter how tough things may seem right now


Don't cry sister cry, it'll be alright, I tell you no lie
Trust me sister, it will be okay, and I'm not just saying that to make you feel better


Don't cry sister cry, don't do it, don't do it
Please don't cry sister, it won't make things any better and may even make them worse


When Old Man Trouble knocks on your door
When life gets tough and challenges arise


Don't give him no key, he just wants more
Don't let your problems take over your life and give them the power to make things worse


He'll turn your life to misery
Your problems have the power to make you miserable if you let them


Kick you down, just like me
Your problems have the power to knock you down, just like they did to me


Woke downhearted and you feel so bad
Feeling down and hopeless when you wake up in the morning


Somebody wants something of nothing you had
Someone is trying to take advantage of you and cheat you out of something you earned or deserve


Love don't come too easy, you see
Finding love is not easy, but it's worth the effort


A little bit of you and a little bit of me
Love requires both people to give and take, to compromise and work together


Everything'll be just fine
Despite the struggles and challenges, everything will ultimately work out for the best


Don't cry sister cry, don't do it, don't do it
Please don't cry sister, there's no need and it won't help anything




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: J J CALE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@jesuspv

1979 - JJ CALE & Leon Russell Live at the Paradise Studios, LA
01 - T-Bone Shuffle 0:01
02 - Nowhere To Run 1:22
03 - Cocaine 4:45
04 - Ten Easy Lessons 7:50
05 - Sensitive Kind 12:58
06 - Hands Off Her 16:33
07 - Lou-Easy-Ann 20:14
08 - Going Down 23:04
09 - Corine Corina 28:18
10 - Roll On 32:11
11 - No Sweat 35:38
12 - Crazy Mama 39:30
13 - Fate Of A Fool 42:45
14 - Boilin' Pot 45:51
15 - After Midnight 49:30
16 - T-Bone Shuffle 53:45
17 - T-Bone Backwards 57:54
18 - I got the Same Old Blues 1:01:30
19 - Don't Cry Sister 1:04:30
20 - Set Your Soul Free (Tell me who you are) 1:07:36
21 - Hours a day 1:11:40



@TheRealForrestGeorge

J J Cale --- Vocals & Guitar
Ambrose Campbell --- Congas
Bill Boatman --- Guitar & Bass
Christine Lakeland --- Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Harmonica, Cabaza & Backing Vocals
Jimmy Karstein --- Drums
Larry Bell --- Piano & Vocals
Marty Green --- Saxophone
Nick Rather --- Bass
Pat "Taco" Ryan --- Saxophone
Shamsi Sarumi --- Percussion
Leon Russell --- Hammond B3 Organ & Vocals



All comments from YouTube:

@k98al58

Two Tulsa boys. Legends.

@rod9545

Two proud Tulsans and godfathers of the legendary Tulsa Sound!😊

@cmputrwiz

Righteous!!! Love these guys!!!!!

@IsabellaHale

Years ago..I am guessing mid 70s an ad showed in a local paper: Leon Russell in town doing a gig.. at a local club in DC. We went and there he was..very small crowd. I was in total awe. The venue was so small that some people actually got up and danced. just unreal. those were really the good old days at least for our generation.

@paoloruberti7762

I'm totally agree with you

@ChuckECheeez

I saw Leon Russell at a small-ish club of like 3-400 ppl about 6 months before he died. Even in old age- one of the best concerts I’ve ever seen.

@markmoriarty7388

I saw Leon Russell

@jamesmaddock259

I could listen to JJ play guitar all day . A true maestro

@MitchClement-il6iq

After midnight Is cool, smoking a cigg while playing.

@teresapuppo1388

Rilassante, armonioso, dolce❤❤

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