I just remembered this old country song "Don't Cry Joni". I remembered that my mom told me about it some time ago, when I was 15 or so. I remember Mom telling me how many of the old songs had story behind them (like Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole' Oak Tree), and how most of them are really touching. And I remember Don't Cry Joni was one of my favourite ones because the words were pretty touching, although I'm not sure whether I truly understood the significance of those lyrics at the time I fell in love with it.
So I was in one of those soul-searching moods when I simply had to listen to this song again but didn't know how to. Thanks to
Ken who helped pinpointed the original singer of the song: Conway Twitty, I managed to download the whole piece. Well listening to it again made me remember several things. The slow country four-step beat was as soothing as it was long time ago, and the words now took on a new significance. Its not really that similar to what I'm (or what I've been) going through these few months, but I do know that I've said the very same words that Joni said to Jimmy. And he's said almost the same words that Jimmy said to Joni. And my tears have fallen like rain for many many days, but fortunately they've stopped that drizzle now. Oh yeah, the song made me cry a little, but just a few drops. Not because of my problems, but more because how sad I felt for Jimmy, but how happy I felt that Joni had finally moved on.
So I'm posting the lyrics to
Don't Cry Joni, by Conway Twitty.
Woman- Jimmy please say you'll wait for me
I'll grow up someday you'll see
Saving all my kisses just for you
Signed with love
forever true
Man - Joni was the girl who lived next door
I've known her I guess 10 years or more
Joni wrote me a note one day
And this is what she had to say
Woman-Jimmy please say you'll wait for me
I'll grow up someday you'll see
Saving all my kisses just for you
Signed with love
forever true
Man- Slowly I read her note once more
Then I went over to the house next door
Her tear drops fell like rain that day
When I told Joni what I had to say
Man- Joni, Joni please don't cry
You'll forget me by and by
You're just fifteen
I'm twenty two
And Joni I just cant wait for you
Man - Soon I left our little home town
Got me a job and tried to settle down
But these words kept haunting my memory
The words that Joni said to me
Woman- Jimmy please say you'll wait for me
I'll grow up some day you'll see
Saving all my kisses just for you
Signed with love
forever true
Man - I packed my clothes
And I caught a plane
I had to see Joni
I had to explain
How my heart was filled
With her memory
And ask my Joni if she'd marry me
I ran all the way
To the house next door
But things weren't like they were before
My tear drops fell like rain that day
When I heard what Joni had to say
Woman- Jimmy, Jimmy please don't cry
You'll forget me by and by
It's been five years since you've been gone
Jimmy I married your best friend John
