Buddy Miller: All My Tears

I first heard this song in 2007 when I discovered an AT&T Blue Room mini concert featuring Buddy Miller. Unfortunately, that concert as well as others in that series has been pulled from the net. This is a pity as it probably was the best recording of the song “All my Tears.” Julie Miller wrote the song after her and Buddy’s friend Mark Heard died unexpectedly in 1992.

Numerous people have recorded the song with the exception of Julie’s husband Buddy. In my opinion, he does the best version of anyone. It is a normal part of Buddy’s set list and he performs it every night in concert, but has avoided recording it.

This incomplete version, as it is chopped off before the song ends, was recorded 2007 winter NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) show. In this concert (obviously sponsored by Fender), Buddy plays a Fender acoustic guitar that is tuned low to high D A D G B D also know as double dropped D tuning.

Since 2007, I have performed this song 5 times – once on mandolin and the others on guitar using the double dropped D tuning. It has remained one of my favorite tunes to perform.

Lyrics

V1
When I go don’t cry for me
In my Father’s arms I’ll be
The wounds this world left on my soul
Will all be healed and I’ll be whole

Sun and moon will be replaced
With the light of Jesus’ face
And I will not be ashamed
For my savior knows my name

Chorus
It don’t matter where you bury me
I’ll be home and I’ll be free
It don’t matter where I lay
All my tears be washed away

V2
Gold and silver blind the eye
Temporary riches lie
Come and eat from heaven’s store
Come and drink and thirst no more

So weep not for me my friend
When my time below does end
For my life belongs to him
Who will raise the dead again

Chorus
It don’t matter where you bury me
I’ll be home and I’ll be free
It don’t matter where I lay
All my tears be washed away