Walking down the levee with my head hangin' 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 a sweet papa talk

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 give 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 got it 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.