You Don't Have To Be A Baby To Cry
Loretta Lynn Lyrics


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You don't have to be a baby to cry
All you need is for love to go wrong
You don't have to be a baby to cry
Or to lie awake the whole night long

When you leave me my golden rainbow disappears
Then you leave me a broken heart that's full of tears
These ain't raindrops in my eyes why should I lie
You don't have to be a baby to cry
[ ac.guitar ]




When you leave me...
A little bitty baby you don't have to be a baby to cry

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Loretta Lynn's song "You Don't Have To Be A Baby To Cry" are quite powerful and relatable, as they speak to the common human experience of heartbreak and betrayal in love. The song is essentially centered around the idea that one does not have to be a baby or a child to cry- heartbreak and love gone wrong can affect anyone, no matter their age or life experience.


The first verse of the song speaks to this idea, stating that all one needs is for love to go wrong in order to experience the pain and sadness of crying. This sentiment is echoed in the second verse, which speaks specifically to the experience of lying awake all night, unable to sleep due to the pain of a broken heart. The chorus of the song reinforces the idea that crying is not only for babies, and that even adults can feel a range of complex emotions and pain in love.


Perhaps the most poignant part of the song is the third verse, which speaks to the specific pain of being left by a lover. The lyrics talk of a "golden rainbow" that disappears when one's lover leaves, leaving behind a broken heart full of tears. The tears are not simply raindrops in the eyes, but a physical manifestation of the pain of heartbreak. In the final line of the song, the singer asserts once again that one does not have to be a baby in order to cry.


Overall, "You Don't Have To Be A Baby To Cry" is a timeless song that speaks to the universal human experience of love, heartbreak, and emotional pain. It reminds listeners that it is okay to feel vulnerable and emotional, no matter their age or life experience.


Line by Line Meaning

You don't have to be a baby to cry
Crying is not only for babies, anyone can cry when they experience a broken heart


All you need is for love to go wrong
Heartbreaks can cause tears even to strong people


Or to lie awake the whole night long
Losing love can lead to insomnia and lying in bed wide awake


When you leave me my golden rainbow disappears
Whenever you leave, you take away all the happiness and blissful moments from my life


Then you leave me a broken heart that's full of tears
Leaving behind someone with a broken heart that keeps crying and tears won't stop falling


These ain't raindrops in my eyes why should I lie
The tears in my eyes aren't just raindrops, but a result of the pain you've caused me


You don't have to be a baby to cry
No matter how strong you are, heartbreaks can bring tears to anyone's eyes


A little bitty baby you don't have to be a baby to cry
You don't have to be a baby or immature to be crying over someone who broke your heart




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOB MERRILL, TERRY SHAND

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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