The children sat 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 Please don’t wake him let him sleep It’s a moment she can keep Like an old bus tick - et  or a photograph Resting on the man - tle - piece   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      (repeat and fade)