About The Song
“Cry Not for Me” is a poignant country ballad recorded by Patsy Cline and released as the B-side to her single “I Fall to Pieces” on January 30, 1961, by Decca Records (catalog number 31231). Written by Marijohn Wilkin and Benny Joy, the song was produced by Owen Bradley at Bradley Film and Recording Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. It was recorded on November 16, 1960, during the same landmark session that produced her breakthrough hit “I Fall to Pieces.” Clocking in at approximately 2:35, the track features Cline’s rich, dignified vocals backed by The Jordanaires’ harmonies, Floyd Cramer’s piano, Grady Martin’s guitar, and a refined Nashville Sound arrangement with subtle strings and rhythm—marking her transition to the polished countrypolitan style that defined her Decca era.
By late 1960, Patsy Cline (born Virginia Patterson Hensley on September 8, 1932, in Gore, Virginia) had signed with Decca Records and was working closely with producer Owen Bradley to elevate her sound beyond her earlier 4 Star material. “I Fall to Pieces” (A-side) became her first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart (two weeks at the top in August 1961) and reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, establishing her as a major crossover star. “Cry Not for Me” (B-side) charted separately, peaking at No. 9 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart (a 25-position extension of the main Hot 100) and receiving significant airplay as part of the single’s massive success. The song appeared on her second studio album Patsy Cline (Decca, August 1962), which reached No. 9 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
The lyrics portray a woman who has been left behind but refuses to wallow in self-pity, telling her departing lover not to cry for her because she will survive and move on. The dignified, almost defiant tone—delivered with Cline’s characteristic emotional restraint—creates a powerful contrast to typical heartbreak songs of the era. Marijohn Wilkin, a prolific Nashville songwriter known for “Waterloo” and later “The Long Black Veil,” co-wrote the tune with Benny Joy, crafting a message of quiet strength that suited Cline’s interpretive style perfectly. The November 1960 session captured Cline at a turning point, with Bradley’s production emphasizing her vocal power and emotional subtlety.
Though overshadowed by the monumental success of “I Fall to Pieces,” “Cry Not for Me” remains a strong showcase of Cline’s ability to convey resilience amid heartbreak. It has been included in numerous posthumous compilations, such as The Patsy Cline Story (1963 double LP), Patsy Cline’s Greatest Hits (1967, a multi-platinum seller), and Sweet Dreams: Her Complete Decca Masters 1960-1963 (2010). The song endures as a fan favorite for its empowering message and elegant delivery, standing as part of her transformative 1960-1961 period before her tragic death in a plane crash on March 5, 1963, at age 30.
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Lyric
Cry not for me when I’m gone
Don’t shed a tear when I’m far away
I’ll be alright, I’ll carry on
So cry not for me todayYou made your choice, you went your way
You left me here with memories
But I’ll be strong, come what may
So dry your eyes, my love, pleaseCry not for me, my darling dear
The love we had was sweet and true
But time will heal this lonely heart
And I’ll find someone newCry not for me when I’m gone
Don’t shed a tear when I’m far away
I’ll be alright, I’ll carry on
So cry not for me today