Story Behind The Song

I always had a challenging relationship with my father. We loved each other but couldn't communicate when I was a child. As I became a man we were starting to have a good relationship. Unexpectedly he contracted cancer and died when I was 23.

Lyrics

A Man Ain't Supposed To Cry
Words and music by Roger Anthony Mapes

When I was young I always wanted to
put my arms around you.
There were many times when i tried to-
but you didn't know just what to do.
Chorus: you were always taught that a man ain't supposed to cry. you were always taught how to keep your feelings deep inside and you were always taught that a man ain't supposed to cry.

Cause when I was young I was a girly boy.
I was always playing with girly toys.
Where that impulse came from I'll never know-
but you caught me one day in my Momma's clothes.
What else could you do but get mad
I was the only boy you ever had.
How were you gonna teach me to be a man?

Chorus: you were always taught that a man ain't supposed to cry. you were always taught how to keep your feelings deep inside and you were always taught that a man ain't supposed to cry.

I remember the last day I saw you.
You were much too confused to respond to
the love you knew I had for you..
that's why everyday now I carry you
as a sparkle in my eyes when I see a man that looks like you...
laughter in my voice when I hear a man that sounds like you...
tears in my eye when I see your smiling face in my mind.

Chorus: you were always taught that a man ain't supposed to cry. you were always taught how to keep your feelings deep inside and you were always taught that a man ain't supposed to cry.