The children sit upon the stairs High above a valley of tears Don't let them see you crying that way oh no
Oh no Joe Porterhouse Is not gone forever He'll be back another day Don't let them see you crying that way
Chorus Please don't wake him let him sleep It's a moment she can keep Like an old bus ticket or a photograph Resting on the mantlepiece While for the wicked there is no peace She says it's not his time to go Why we were nearly lovers years ago Now what is left for me Among the broken branches of the family tree
Heart like an anchor Arms like cable He stood all alone on an iron turntable Don't let them see you crying that way oh no
The sun beats down It's cracking the flags Boys who should know better Are stamping out fags Don't let them see you laughing that way
Chorus
Oh no Joe Porterhouse Is not gone forever He'll be back another day Don't let them see you crying that way
