Walking down the levee with my head hanging low
Looking for my mama but she ain't here no more
Baby you don't know, you don't know my mind
When you see me laughing, I'm laughing just to keep
from crying
She won't cook my dinner, won't wash my clothes
Won't do nothing but walk the road
Baby you don't know, you don't know my mind
When you see me laughing, I'm laughing just to keep
from crying
My breakfast on the table and my coffee's getting cold
And mama's in the kitchen getting sweep...
Baby you don't know, you don't know my mind
When you see me laughing, I'm laughing just to keep
from crying
Sometimes I think my baby's too good to die
Sometimes I think she should be buried alive
Baby you don't know, you don't know my mind
When you see me laughing, I'm laughing just to keep
from crying
I wish I had a nickel, I wish I had a dime
I wish I hadn't given myself a fabulous time
Baby you don't know, you don't know my mind
When you see me laughing, I'm laughing just to keep
from crying
Look at you mama, see what you gone and done
You got my money now you broke and run
Baby you don't know, you don't know my mind
When you see me laughing, I'm laughing just to keep
from crying
You made me get mad and you made me get sad
The going gets tougher than you aint never had
Baby you don't know, you don't know my mind
When you see me laughing, I'm laughing just to keep
from crying