“Don’t Let Me Cross Over” is a song made famous as a duet by Carl Butler and Pearl, a husband-and-wife country music duo. Originally released in November 1962, the song needed just four weeks to reach the #1 spot on the Billboard Country Singles chart, and spent 11 (non-consecutive) weeks at #1. “Don’t Let Me Cross Over” has become a country-music standard.

Honky-tonk singer Carl Butler is best remembered for “Don’t Let Me Cross Over,” which Allmusic writer Jim Worbois described as a “country heartbreak song.” The song was one of several in which Butler’s wife, Pearl, joins him on harmony.

With its 11-week reign, “Don’t Let Me Cross Over” was the longest-running No. 1 song for a performer’s debut single on the Hot Country Singles (and its successor-names) chart until being matched in May 2013 by Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise.”

From the album Don’t Let Me Cross Over
B-side “Wonder Drug”
Released November 1962 (U.S.)
Recorded February 26, 1962
Genre Country
Length 2:57
Label Columbia 42953
Songwriter(s) Penny Jay

Carl and Pearl Butler – Don’t Let Me Cross Over Lyrics

Don’t let me cross over

I’m tempted, my darling, to steal you away
Don’t let me cross over, stay out of my way
You know that I love you and I’m not the stealing kind
But I’m faced with heartache and loves cheating line

Don’t let me cross over loves cheating line
You belong to another and you’ll never be mine
I know one step closer would be heaven divine
Don’t let me cross over loves cheating line

I tried to forget you but what else can I do
When your eyes keep on saying that you love me too
I know if I lose you, not a dream will I have left
I don’t want to cheat, dear, but I can’t help myself

Don’t let me cross over loves cheating line
You belong to another and you’ll never be mine
I know one step closer would be heaven divine
Don’t let me cross over loves cheating line