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 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 Going gets tougher than you have ever 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