Nobody's Crying But the Baby
The Unseen Strength of Single Motherhood
Lyrics
With her little one in one arm
Describing a mother holding her child and also carrying out household chores.
And the laundry in the other
Illustrating the multitasking nature of a single mother.
She could sure use a helping hand
Expressing the need for assistance, typical of single parenting.
But that's just the life of a single mother
Highlighting the challenging life of a single mother.
Somebody's calling on the phone
Portraying interruptions and demands on her time.
Somebody's knocking at the door
Continuation of interruptions in her daily life.
She forgets and burns the dinner
Showing frustration through a ruined dinner.
Throws it across the kitchen floor
Reflecting her emotional state with the thrown dinner.
And for a moment she wants to give up and break down
Temporary desire to give up due to overwhelming stress.
But nobody's crying but the baby
Despite her hardships, no one except the baby is visibly upset.
She ain't far from going crazy
She's on the verge of losing control emotionally.
And there are times she wonders how she's going to make it
Expressing doubts about her ability to cope with the situation.
But she's got to be strong enough for two
Feeling the responsibility to be strong for her child.
She's gotta do what he wouldn't do
Having to fulfill tasks typically done by the absent partner.
No time for tears around here
Emphasizing the lack of time for emotional breakdowns.
Nobody's crying but the baby
Reiterating that only the baby displays distress.
And when the day is done
Describing her routine at day's end.
She'll tuck her angel in
Putting her child to bed, a routine act of care.
She'll turn out the lights and start missing him again
Feeling the absence of the child's father.
Her mascara slowly runs down her face
Her makeup smears, indicating emotional distress.
But nobody's crying but the baby
Reiterating that only the baby is visibly upset.
She ain't far from going crazy
She's close to losing control emotionally.
And there are times she wonders how she's going to make it
Similar to line 14, expressing doubts about coping.
But she's got to be strong enough for two
Feeling the responsibility to remain strong for her child.
She's gotta do what he wouldn't do
Continuing to fulfill roles typically done by the absent partner.
No time for tears around here
Stressing the lack of time for emotional breakdowns.
Nobody's crying
Repeating that only the baby shows distress.
But the baby is getting older
Emphasizing the child's growth amid her struggles.
The lonely nights are getting colder
Describing increasing emotional isolation and hardship.
And what she wouldn't give to have a shoulder to cry on
Expressing her longing for emotional support.
But she's got to be strong enough for two
Reiterating her responsibility to remain strong for her child.
She's gotta do what he wouldn't do
Continuing to fulfill roles typically done by the absent partner.
No time for tears around here
Reinforcing the lack of time for emotional breakdowns.
Nobody's crying but the baby
Final emphasis that only the baby shows distress.
But the baby
Repeating the focus on the baby's emotional state.
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