By Larry Fyffe
“‘Don’t Make Her Cry’ were the words Regina McCrary’s father, Reverend Sam McCrary, said to Bob Dylan when they met at a Nashville show in 1978 shortly after she joined his band,” Buddy Miller tells SPIN.
The story continues: “Three decades later, they finally wrote lyrics to the song together in Huntsville, Alabama. When it came to writing the music, Bob said to Regina, ‘give it to Buddy Miller.’ Regina says that she “then passed it to Julie, who added more lyrics, moved others around, and set it to music.”
He stood like a soldier, concern in his eye He nodded his head, it was full of surprise He stood there a while, and said are you sure Is your love for him really that pure Ever since she was born, she was my little girl And I'll always watch over her even from another world She's a seventh charm, the seventh child, boy do you know that God's thumbprints on her wherever she's at Don't make her cry Don't make her cry When your mind's bouncing around like a pinball arcade Just keep standing there, and don't be afraid What's done in the dark comes to the light So stay out of the shadows, and do what's right Sometime your critics think they're so justified But they don't know a thing about who you are inside Stand strong, and always remember who you are Stand strong, and always follow that star Don' maKe her cry Don't make her cry Yes, when I heard your father talk It sounded like someone else on the block When he shook my hand, it truly felt Like the power of love that makes your heart melt I'll never forget that night, that time, that place He looked me straight in the eye with amazing grace Said with compassion all over his face Said to me: Don't make her cry Don't make her cry Don't make her cry Don't make her cry Don't make her cry ...
There are tear drops in her heart
But they can’t make her cry
(Nat King Cole: They Can’t Make Her Cry – Davidson/Livingston)
*- David and Livingston