1946

Lord, I Just Can’t Keep from Cryin’

Five Creek-Freedman Spirituals Song Collection

"Lord, I Just Can't Keep from Cryin'" is the fourth song in the cycle Five Creek-Freedman Spirituals, composed by Margaret Bonds.

Audio

“Lord, I Just Can’t Keep from Cryin’ ” (from “Fire Creek-Freedman Spirituals”)

Jayme Alilaw, soprano; Lorna Griffitt, piano3:36

Margaret Bonds

Composer

Spiritual

Poet(s)/Writer(s)

2022

Date

University of California, Irvine, Winifred Smith Hall

Location

This recording was part of a 5:30pm concert ("A Salute to Margaret Bonds (1913-1972)") on Saturday, October 15, 2022 during the 25th Anniversary African American Art Song Alliance Conference. The concert venue was Winifred Smith Hall at the University of California, Irvine.

Text

Lord, I just can’t keep from cryin’ sometime
Lord, I just can’t keep from cryin’ sometime
When my heart is full of sorrow
And my eyes are full of tears
Lord, I just can’t keep from cryin’ sometime.

Lord, I fold my arms and cry sometime
Lord, I fold my arms and cry sometime
When my heart is full of sorrow
And my eyes are full of tears
Lord, I fold my arms and cry sometime.

Lord, I hum a tune and cry sometime
Lord, I hum a tune and cry sometime
When my heart is full of sorrow
And my eyes are full of tears
Lord, I fold my arms and cry sometime.

Related Information

African Diaspora Music Project

africandiasporamusicproject.org/song/margaret-bonds/lord-i-just-cant-keep-cryin

Sheet Music

Rediscovering Margaret Bonds: Art Songs, Spirituals, Musical Theater and Popular Songs

Margaret Bonds

Buy via Classical Vocal Reprints