Mark Lavon "Levon" Helm (May 26, 1940 – April 19, 2012) was an American rock multi-instrumentalist and actor who achieved fame as the drummer and frequent lead and backing vocalist for The Band.
Helm was known for his deeply soulful, country-accented voice, and creative drumming style highlighted on many of the Band's recordings, such as "The Weight", "Up on Cripple Creek", "Ophelia" and "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down". His 2007 comeback album Dirt Farmer earned the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album in February 2008, and in November of that year, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him #91 in the list of The 100 Greatest Singers of All Time. In 2010, Electric Dirt, his 2009 follow-up to Dirt Farmer, won the first ever Grammy Award for Best Americana Album, an inaugural category in 2010. In 2011, his live album Ramble at the Ryman was nominated for the Grammy in the same category and won.
On April 17, 2012, his wife and daughter announced on Helm's website that he was "in the final stages of his battle with cancer" and thanked fans while requesting prayers. Two days later, Helm died at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.
Katherine Anne "Katie" Couric (born January 7, 1957) is an American journalist and author. She serves as special correspondent for ABC News, contributing to ABC World News, Nightline, 20/20, Good Morning America, This Week and primetime news specials. Starting on September 6, 2012, she will host Katie, a syndicated daytime talk show produced by Disney-ABC Domestic Television. She has anchored the CBS Evening News, reported for 60 Minutes, and hosted Today and reported for Dateline NBC. She was the first solo female anchor of a weekday evening news program on one of the three traditional USA broadcast networks. Couric's first book, The Best Advice I Ever Got: Lessons from Extraordinary Lives was a New York Times best-seller.
As of May 2012, Couric also has a web show for ABC News, entitled Katie's Take, airing weekly on Yahoo.
Couric was born in Arlington, Virginia, the daughter of Elinor Tullie (née Hene), a homemaker and part-time writer, and John Martin Couric Jr., a public relations executive and news editor at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the United Press in Washington, D.C. Her mother was Jewish, but Couric was raised Presbyterian. Couric's maternal grandparents, Bert Hene and Clara L. Froshin, were the children of Jewish immigrants from Germany. In a report for Today, she traced her paternal ancestry back to a French orphan who immigrated to the U.S. in the nineteenth century and became a broker in the cotton business.
Sheryl Suzanne Crow (born February 11, 1962) is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and actress. Her music incorporates elements of rock, folk, hip hop, country and pop. She has won nine Grammy Awards from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
She has performed with The Rolling Stones and has sung duets with Mick Jagger,Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Luciano Pavarotti, John Mellencamp, Kid Rock, Michelle Branch, and Sting among others. She has performed backing vocals for Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, Don Henley and Belinda Carlisle. She also sang as part of the back up vocals for the Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary celebrating Dylan's 30 years as a recording artist. Crow has released seven studio albums, two compilations, and a live album, and has contributed to film soundtracks. She has sold 16 million albums in the United States and 35 million albums worldwide and her newest album, 100 Miles from Memphis, was released on July 20, 2010. Recently she appeared on NBC's 30 Rock, ABC's GCB and Cougar Town, Disney Channel's Hannah Montana Forever, and Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert's Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear.
The Levon Helm Band - Full Concert - 08/03/08 - Newport Folk Festival (OFFICIAL)
Levon Helm "Poor Old Dirt Farmer" Official Music Video
LEVON HELM Newport Fest. 2008
Levon Helm Ramble At The Ryman "The Weight" on PBS
Levon Helm - Atlantic City
Remembering Levon Helm; Musician, Actor, Author, Inspiration
CBS Sunday Morning Tribute to Levon Helm
Levon on Letterman - early 1980's
An Interview with Levon Helm | Sound Tracks Quick Hits | PBS
Levon Helm Ramble At The Ryman "Ophelia" on PBS
The Levon Helm Band - Deep Elem Blues - 8/3/2008 - Newport Folk Festival (Official)
"Anna Lee" - Levon Helm 2011 Ramble at the Ryman Live HD
"Ophelia" - Levon Helm and The Band
Levon Helm: Best Songs Of Levon Helm - Greatest Hits Full Album Of Levon Helm
The Levon Helm Band - Full Concert - 08/03/08 - Newport Folk Festival (OFFICIAL)
Levon Helm "Poor Old Dirt Farmer" Official Music Video
LEVON HELM Newport Fest. 2008
Levon Helm Ramble At The Ryman "The Weight" on PBS
Levon Helm - Atlantic City
Remembering Levon Helm; Musician, Actor, Author, Inspiration
CBS Sunday Morning Tribute to Levon Helm
Levon on Letterman - early 1980's
An Interview with Levon Helm | Sound Tracks Quick Hits | PBS
Levon Helm Ramble At The Ryman "Ophelia" on PBS
The Levon Helm Band - Deep Elem Blues - 8/3/2008 - Newport Folk Festival (Official)
"Anna Lee" - Levon Helm 2011 Ramble at the Ryman Live HD
"Ophelia" - Levon Helm and The Band
Levon Helm: Best Songs Of Levon Helm - Greatest Hits Full Album Of Levon Helm
Levon Helm - On Singing While Drumming
Levon Helm - "Only Halfway Home"
Levon Helm: Eye To Eye With Katie Couric
Levon Helm - "Tennessee Jed" on Letterman 7/9 (TheAudioPerv.com)
Levon Helm & Sheryl Crow - Evangeline
The Last Waltz - The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.mpg
Joe Walsh, Ringo, Levon Helm, Clarence Clemens
Wide River to Cross - Levon Helm
A Train Robbery - Levon Helm
Levon Helm - The Weight (Live)
Rick Danko Levon Helm
Levon Helm - Live At The Getaway 03-02-1985
The Levon Helm Band - Anna Lee - 8/3/2008 - Newport Folk Festival (Official)
Levon Helm - Up On Cripple Creek - Circa 1969
Levon Helm, Ringo Starr and the 1989 All Starr Band "Up On Cripple Creek"
Levon Helm - A Train Robbery live 2009
The Mountain - Levon Helm (High Quality)
Levon Helm The Weight
The Band, Up On Cripple Creek
Levon Helm Calvary
Levon Helm - When I Go Away - Tarrytown Music Hall - 3/24/12
The Band - Atlantic City - 1994
Levon Helm/Emmylou Harris "Evangeline" LIVE in Central Park, NYC July 18th 2011
Sheryl Crow, Levon Helm, Emmylou Harris - "Evangeline" (Live, 1996)
Levon Helm & The Cate Brothers Band - Sweet Peach Georgia Wine
The Band - The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
Levon Helm & Rick Danko - 28 January 1983 - Starry Night, Portland OR
Levon Helm (1978) Full Album
Tribute (documentary) Levon Helm (The Band) 1940-2012
An Interview with Elvis Costello at Levon Helm's Studios - Radio Woodstock 100.1 - 11/14/13
Levon Helm Tribute Show III (2015)
The Band - Full Concert - 12/31/83 - San Francisco Civic Auditorium (OFFICIAL)
Levon Helm Tribute Concert - Sugar Club, Dublin
The Dollmaker movie (1984)
Ain't in It for My Health: A Film About Levon Helm FullMovie
Ain't in It for My Health: A Film About Levon Helm FullMovie
Levon Helm, Bo Diddley and Johnny Paycheck Live from the LoneStar Cafe
Levon Helm - Live at Joyous Lake, Woodstock. 07-18-1984
Levon Helm From Imus On MSNBC Monday September 19, 2005
Gov't Mule with Levon Helm's Band (Ramble) part 2 - Mt Jam'12
Rick Danko & Levon Helm - January 23, 1983
Levon Helm Funeral - A Day in the Life of Woodstock
Levon Helm Tribute Show II (2014)
Levon Helm on Rock and Roll
Levon Helm and Richard Manuel.
Levon Helm, how The Band got to Woodstock
The Band - The Making of "Up On Cripple Creek"
levon helm and robbie robertson on NYC
LEVON HELM - The Midnight Rambles - The Birthday Ramble! - Part 1
Levon Helm: A Lesson from Paul Butterfield
Levon Helm explains the Midnight Ramble
WHFS - Levon Helm Interview 1980
Levon Helm - On His Early Influences
Robbie Robertson On The Break-Up Of The Band
Levon Helm & Garth Hudson- Don't Start Me Talkin'
Jamie Malanowski writes of musician Levon Helm's final years! (Interview)
Grace Potter's interview given after the "Love For Levon" concert
Imus on Robbie Robertson/Levon Helm
WPTX - Levon Helm Interview 1986
Richard Young interview about Johnnie Johnson & Levon Helm
"Chest Fever" Levon Helm Band 6/13/09
Outside Lands 2010 - Larry Cambell Interview (The Levon Helm Band)
Well the mail don't come and the phone don't ring
Lost all I had lost everything
But now you're gone what can I do
I'm gonna take time out for the blues
Baby you don't know what you've done to me
You've filled my life with misery
I keep walking the floor I wore out my shoes
I'm gonna take time - time out for the blues
Yeah when I come home you was never there
You didn't think u-mm you didn't care
But it's too late now honey I've got some news
I'm gonna take time out for the blues
Just a photograph that's signed with love
I'll kiss it too umm or a little hug
That's all I have that's part of you
I'm gonna take time - time out for the blues
Life's a strain of painful things to be overcome
We mark the mile by our trials and suffer everyone
But hold them near and keep them dear and don't be ashamed
Trials of the world are all heaven's pearls
Trials of the world are all heaven's pearls
We gather scars from tangled bars that catch under the skin
The friction burns as they turn working deeper in
But day by day sharp edges fade, smooth, burnished and fine
Trials of the world are all heaven's pearls
Trials of the world are all heaven's pearls
Trials of the world are all heaven's pearls
Trials of the world are all heaven's pearls
( Muddy Waters )
You know the girl you love she don't treat you right sometimes
You know the girl you love she don't treat you right sometimes
Well, that's the stuff you gotta watch because your girl is a liar.
You know, the girl you love stays out all night long,
Yeah, the girl you love, she stays out all night long.
That's the stuff you gotta watch because your girl's treatin' you wrong.
I need my hat, go get my coat,
Uncle Zak found out baby you don't want it anymore.
That's the stuff you gotta watch
That's the stuff you gotta watch
That's the stuff you gotta watch if you don't wanna lose your girl.
You know the girl's no good but don't you make no change.
Oh, the girl's no good but don't you make no change.
That's the stuff you gotta watch 'cause you're justified all the same.
She spends your dough, she drinks your gin
And if she rode round the corner then she's ready to go within.
That's the stuff you gotta watch
That's the stuff you gotta watch
That's the stuff you gotta watch if you don't wanna lose your girl.
Well, that's the stuff you gotta watch if you don't wanna lose your girl.
Yeah, that's the stuff you gotta watch if you don't wanna lose your girl.
Well, that's the stuff you gotta watch if you don't wanna lose your girl.
In the deep rolling hills of old Virginia
There's a place that I love so well
Where I spent many days of my childhood
In a cabin where we loved to dwell
White dove will mourn in sorrow
The willows will hang their heads
I'll live my life in sorrow
Since mother and daddy are dead
We were all so happy there together
In our peaceful little mountain home
But the Savior needs angels up in heaven
Now they sing 'round the great white throne
White dove will mourn in sorrow
The willows will hang their heads
I'll live my life in sorrow
Since mother and daddy are dead
As the years roll by I often wonder
If we will all be together someday
And each night as I wander through the graveyard
Darkness finds me as I kneel to pray
White dove will mourn in sorrow
The willows will hang their heads
I'll live my life in sorrow
Since mother and daddy are dead
I'll live my life in sorrow
Since mother and daddy are dead
Well, they blew up the chicken man in philly last night
Now, they blew up his house, too
Down on the boardwalk they're gettin' ready for a fight
Gonna see what them racket boys can do
Now, there's trouble bustin' in from outta state
And the DA can't get no relief
Gonna be a rumble out on the promenade
And the gamblin' commissioner's hangin' on by the skin
of his teeth
Well now, everything dies, baby, that's a fact
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back
Put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty
And meet me tonight in Atlantic City
Well, I got a job and tried to put my money away
But I got debts that no honest man can pay
So I drew what I had from the Central Trust
And I bought us two tickets on that coast city bus
Now, baby, everything dies, honey, thats a fact...
Now our luck may have died and our love may be cold
But with you forever I'll stay
We're goin' out where the sands turnin' to gold
Put on your stockins baby, 'cause the night's getting
cold
And maybe everything dies, baby, that's a fact
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back
Now, I've been lookin for a job, but it's hard to find
Down here it's just winners and losers and don't
Get caught on the wrong side of that line
Well, I'm tired of comin' out on the losin' end
So, honey, last night I met this guy and I'm gonna
Do a little favour for him
Well now, everything dies, baby, that's a fact
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back
Put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty
Listen now children a story I'll tell
Of a woman they called Anna Lee
She had a fine son and she raised him up well
And a daughter as lovely as she
I'll return to you, dear, in the dimming of day
As the sparrow returns to her nest
I'll return to you dreaming with each lullaby
Hold your sweet weary head to my breast
She sang to her darlings a sweet lullaby
As the cool evening shadows grow long
Angels and nightingales gather at night
Just to hear mother Anna Lee's song
I'll return to you, dear, in the dimming of day
As the sparrow returns to her nest
I'll return to you dreaming with each lullaby
Hold your sweet weary head to my breast
I heard it one morning she rode into town
To tend to her dear sister there
She kissed her two babies on check and on brow
And left them with nary a care
The wind it did rise and the rain it did fall
The river, a shadowy wave
Anna Lee never heard danger's dark call
And was swept to her watery grave
I'll return to you, dear, in the dimming of day
As the sparrow returns to her nest
I'll return to you dreaming with each lullaby
Every man will see the day
That his hopes are dashed away
No word can bring him peace
No man can set him free
Some will ramble far from home
Work their fingers to the bone
Some will numb their hearts with wine
To distract their troubled minds
Take me down to Calvary
Take me down, down, down, right on down
There's no running from your troubles
Or you're sure to make them double
You will meet your destiny
Every man is Calvary
Take me down to Calvary
Take me down, down, down, right on down
Take me down, take me down
Take me down, down, right on down
I will lay my hammer down
Set my knees upon the ground
I will not leave from this place
Until I see a face-to-face
Take me down to Calvary
Take me down, down, down, right on down
Take me down, take me down
Take me down, down, right on down
Take me down, take me down
Blue moon, blue moon, blue moon,
keep shining bright.
Blue moon, keep on shining bright,
You're gonna bring me back my baby tonight,
Blue moon, keep shining bright.
I said blue moon of Kentucky
keep on shining,
Shine on the one that's gone and left me blue.
I said blue moon of Kentucky
keep on shining,
Shine on the one that's gone and left me blue.
Well, it was on one moonlight night,
Stars shining bright,
Whispered on high
Love said good-bye.
Blue moon of Kentucky
Keep on shining.
Shine on the one that's gone and left me blue.
Well, I said blue moon of Kentucky
Just keep on shining.
Shine on the one that's gone and left me blue.
I said blue moon of Kentucky
keep on shining.
Shine on the one that's gone and left me blue.
Well, it was on one moonlight night,
Stars shining bright,
Whispered on high
Love said good-bye.
Blue moon of Kentucky
Keep on shining.
Feelin' good, feelin' good
All the money in the world spent on feelin' good
A wino met me in the street
He said, ?Help me find some Sneakin' Pete
Help me brother, I wish you would
I feel so bad and I wanna feel good?
Feelin' good, feelin' good
All the money in the world spent on feelin' good
Riding around with friends
Cadillac and everything
All the fine dreams
Lemonade and everything
Feelin' good, feelin' good
All the money in the world spent on feelin' good
Feelin' good, feelin' good
All the money in the world spent on feelin' good
You know all your fine things
A big Cadillac and everything
They're making diamond rings
The expenses are all a dream
Feelin' good, feelin' good
All the money in the world spent on feelin' good
Feelin' good, feelin' good
( Muddy Waters )
Had a sweet little girl, i lose my baby, boy ain't that bad
Had a sweet little girl, i lose my baby, boy ain't that bad
You can't spend what you ain't got,
You can't lose some little girl you ain't never had
Had money in the bank, i got busted, people ain't that bad
Had money in the bank, i got busted, people ain't that bad
You can't spend what you ain't got,
You can't lose some little girl you ain't never had
Ain't that the truth boys
[Instrumental]
Had money in the bank, i got busted, people ain't that bad
Had money in the bank, i got busted, people ain't that bad
You can't spend what you ain't got,
You can't lose some little girl you ain't never had
Had a sweet little home, it got burned down, people ain't that bad
My own fault, people ain't that bad
Well you know you can't spend what you ain't got,
You can't lose some blues you ain't never had
[Instrumental]
Have mercy!
Sweet little home, got burned down, people ain't that bad
Yeah you know i had a sweet little home, it got burned down, people ain't that bad
Whoa you know you can't spend what you ain't got,
There's a sorrow in the wind
Blowing down the road I've been
I can hear it cry while shadows steal the sun
But I cannot look back now
I've come too far to turn around
And there's still a race ahead that I must run
I'm only halfway home, I've gotta journey on
To where I'll find, find the things I have lost
I've come a long long road but still I've got some miles to go
I've got a wide, a wide river to cross
I have stumbled, I have strayed
You can trace the tracks I made
All across the memories my heart recalls
But I'm still a refugee, won't you say a prayer for me?
'Cause sometimes even the strongest soldier falls
I'm only halfway home, I've gotta journey on
To where I'll find, I'll find the things I have lost
I've come a long long road but still I've got some miles to go
I've got a wide, a wide river to cross
I'm only halfway home, I've gotta journey on
To where I'll find, I'll find the things that I have lost
I've come a long long road but still I've got some miles to go
I've got a wide, a wide river to cross
Oh, I got me a woman she's a pretty good woman at that
We live with a monkey and a Chinese acrobat
She calls me 'Tex', makes me wear a cowboy hat
But I don't care she's a pretty good woman at that
Nothing in the world make me treat that woman mean
She shaves my beard and she keeps my tractor clean
She burns my bread, makes me eat turnip greens
But I don't care she's a best little woman I've seen
Some folks they move out to California
And some folks they stay in Tennessee
And I don't care where I'm a headed
Just as long as that woman stand by me
Some folks they move out to California
And some folks they stay in Tennessee
Yeah, I don't care where I'm a headed
Just as long as that woman stand by me
Lookin' at the weather do they spend my nights at home
Talking with my baby and blowing on the slide trombone
She talks in turn oh, she really turns me on
With a woman like that a man never wants to roam
Some folks they move out to California
Some folks they stay in Tennessee
Yeah, I don't care where I'm a headed
Just as long as that woman stand by me
Just as long as that woman stand by me
Early in the morning
When the church bells toll
The choir's gonna sing
And the hearse will roll
On down to the graveyard
Where it's cold and gray
And then the sun's gonna shine
Through the shadows
When I go away
Don't want no sorrow
For this old orphan boy
I don't want no crying
Only tears of joy
I'm gonna see my mother
Gonna see my father
And I'll be bound for glory
In the morning
When I go away
I'll be lifted up to the clouds
On the wings of angels
There's only flesh and bones
In the ground
Where my troubles will stay
See that storm over yonder
It's gonna rain all day
But then the sun's gonna shine
Through the shadows
When I go away
(I'm going home - Lift me up)
When I go away
(No more trouble - I'm going home)
(Lift me up - When I go away)
No more crying
(I'm going home - Lift me up - When I go away)
No more trials
(I'm going home)
Home to leave my worries in the ground
(I'm going home - Lift me up - When I go away)
No more troubles
(I'm going home - Lift me up - When I go away)
No more crying
(I'm going home - Lift me up - When I go away)
No more trials
(I'm going home)
Home to leave my worries in the graveyard
Home to leave my troubles in the graveyard
Home to leave my trials
And I'll be bound for glory
In the morning
When I go away
All my kin who love me
All my friends who care
Look beyond the dark clouds
We're gonna meet up there
When they lay me in the cold ground
Bow your heads and pray
(Bow your heads and pray)
And I'll be bound for glory
In the morning
When I go away
And then the sun's gonna shine
Through the shadows
When I go away
(I'm going home - Lift me up)
When I go away
(No more trouble - I'm going home)
(Lift me up - When I go away)
No more crying
(I'm going home - Lift me up - When I go away)
No more trials
(I'm going home)
Home to leave my worries in the graveyard
(I'm going home - Lift me up - When I go away)
No more troubles
(I'm going home - Lift me up - When I go away)
No more crying
(I'm going home - Lift me up - When I go away)
No more trials
(I'm going home)
Home to leave my worries in the graveyard
Home to leave my troubles in the graveyard
Home to leave my trials
And I'll be bound for glory
In the morning
When I go away
And then the sun's gonna shine
Through the shadows
When I go away
Ah, when I go away
When I go away
(When I go away)
When I go away
(When I go away)
I was born on this mountain a long long time ago
Before they knocked down the timber and stripped mined all the coal
When you rose up in the morning before it was light
To go down in that dark hole and come back up at night
I was born on this mountain, this mountain's my home
She holds me and she keeps me from a worry and a woe
Well they took everything she gave, she gave it now she's gone
But I'll die on this mountain, this mountain's my home
I was young on this mountain but now I am old
And I knew every holler, every cool swimmin' hole
Til a one night I lay down and I woke up to find
That my childhood was over I went back down in the mine
There's a hole in this mountain it's dark and it's deep
And God only knows all the secrets that it keeps
There's a chill in the air only miners can feel
The foreman touched the cold steel lines
The rail bed was frozen with ice
In the distance an engine was keeping good time
The steam whistle moaned just twice
Down in the cut past the old Tressel bridge
Twelve fine horses stood
Masked men shivered in the cold on the ridge
Not far from the Glendale woods
The brass lamp shone from the swaying train
When the driver saw the red light
Her iron brakes sparked like silver rain
And the metals screamed through the night
The baggage man peered out to look for the fault
When fear froze up his heart
He was staring down the barrel of an army colt
That threatened to tear him apart
We will burn your train to cinders
So throw the money on down
Open up your damned express car
And jump down to the ground
But we won't touch that old woman
[Incomprehensible] and they claimed
They ain't offered no reward
For Frank and Jesse James
Frank and Jesse James
In long soldier's coats frayed with the years
Quickly they scrambled aboard
Men were the sweatin' and the women shed tears
And a preacher prayed to the Lord
When they opened the safe there was nothing for them
So they strode down through the train
What a miserable sight these desperate men
Robbin' old folks for their gold, watch, chains
We will burn your train to cinders
So throw the money on down
Open up your damned express car
And jump down to the ground
But we won't touch that old woman
[Incomprehensible] and they claimed
They ain't offered no reward
For Frank and Jesse James
Frank and Jesse James
Now some say the devil had taken his soul
Some say his spirit survived
But we all know he was nothin' but a Missouri farm boy
Just fighting to stay alive
High above that railroad bed
On a ridge where the pines grow tall
If you listen to the wind, there's a ghost of a chance
You can still hear old Jesse call
We will burn your train to cinders
So throw the money on down
Open up your damned express car
And jump down to the ground
But we won't touch that old woman
[Incomprehensible] and they claimed
They ain't offered no reward
For Frank and Jesse James
She stands on the banks of the mighty Mississippi
Alone in the pale moonlight
Waiting for a man, a riverboat gambler
Said that he'd return tonight
They used to waltz on the banks of the mighty Mississippi
Loving the whole night through
'Til the riverboat gambler went off to make a killing
And bring it on back to you.
Evangeline, Evangeline
Curses the soul of the Mississippi Queen
That pulled her man away.
Bayou Sam, from the South Lousianne
Had gambling in his veins
Evangeline, from the Maritimes
Was slowly going insane.
High on the top of Hickory Hill
She stands in the lightning and thunder
Down on the river the boat was a-sinking
When you go down to deep elem
just to have a little fun
better bring fifty dollars
when that policeman comes
whoa sweet mama
daddy's got them deep elem blues
whoa sweet mama
daddy's got them deep elem blues
when you go down to deep elem
put some money in your pants
cuz all them pretty women
never give a man a chance
whoa sweet mama
daddy's got them deep elem blues
whoa sweet mama
daddy's got them deep elem blues
(piano solo)
when you go down to deep elem
put some money in your sock
oh them red headed women
gonna throw you on the rocks
whoa sweet mama
daddy's got them deep elem blues
whoa sweet mama
daddy's got them deep elem blues
(acoustic guitar solo)
(acoustic guitar solo 2)
(mandolin solo)
well i once knew a preacher
preached the bible through and through
went down to deep elem
now his preaching days are through
whoa sweet mama
daddy's got them deep elem blues
whoa sweet mama
daddy's got them deep elem blues
(horn solo)
when you go down to deep elem
just to have a little fun
better bring fifty dollars
when that policeman comes
whoa sweet mama
daddy's got them deep elem blues
whoa sweet mama
daddy's got them deep elem blues
i say whoa sweet mama
Well the mail don't come and the phone don't ring
Lost all I had lost everything
But now you're gone what can I do
I'm gonna take time out for the blues
Baby you don't know what you've done to me
You've filled my life with misery
I keep walking the floor I wore out my shoes
I'm gonna take time - time out for the blues
Yeah when I come home you was never there
You didn't think u-mm you didn't care
But it's too late now honey I've got some news
I'm gonna take time out for the blues
Just a photograph that's signed with love
I'll kiss it too umm or a little hug
That's all I have that's part of you
Early in the morning
A-when the church bells toll
The choir's gonna sing
And the hearse will roll
On down to the graveyard
Where it's cold and gray
And then the sun's gonna shine
Through the shadows
When I go away
Don't want no sorrow
For this old orphan boy
I don't want no crying
Only tears of joy
I'm gonna see my mother
Gonna see my father
And I'll be bound for glory
In the morning
When I go away
I'll be lifted up to the clouds
On the wings of an angel
There's only flesh and bones
In the ground
Where my troubles will stay
See that storm over yonder
It's gonna rain all day
But then the sun's gonna shine
Through the shadows
When I go away
(I'm going home - Lift me up)
When I go away
(No more trouble - I'm going home)
(Lift me up - When I go away)
No more crying
(I'm going home - Lift me up - When I go away)
No more trials
(I'm going home)
Home to leave my worries in the ground
(I'm going home - Lift me up - When I go away)
No more troubles
(I'm going home - Lift me up - When I go away)
No more crying
(I'm going home - Lift me up - When I go away)
No more trials
(I'm going home)
Home to leave my worries in the graveyard
Home to leave my troubles in the graveyard
Home to leave my trials
And I'll be bound for glory
In the morning
When I go away
All my kin who love me
All my friends who care
Look beyond the dark clouds
We're gonna meet up there
When they lay me in the cold ground
Bow your heads and pray
(Bow your heads and pray)
And I'll be bound for glory
In the morning
When I go away
And then the sun's gonna shine
Through the shadows
When I go away
(I'm going home - Lift me up)
When I go away
(No more trouble - I'm going home)
(Lift me up - When I go away)
No more crying
(I'm going home - Lift me up - When I go away)
No more trials
(I'm going home)
Home to leave my worries in the graveyard
(I'm going home - Lift me up - When I go away)
No more troubles
(I'm going home - Lift me up - When I go away)
No more crying
(I'm going home - Lift me up - When I go away)
No more trials
(I'm going home)
Home to leave my worries in the graveyard
Home to leave my troubles in the graveyard
Home to leave my trials
And I'll be bound for glory
In the morning
When I go away
And then the sun's gonna shine
Through the shadows
When I go away
Ah, when I go away
When I go away
(When I go away)
When I go away
(When I go away)
Rag mama rag, I can't believe it's true
Rag mama rag, what did you do?
I crawled up to the railroad track
Let the four nineteen scratch my back
Shag mama shag now, what's come over you
Rag mama rag, I'm a pulling out your gag
Gonna turn you a loose like an old caboose
Got a tail, I need a drag
I ask about your turtle
And you ask about the weather
Well, I can't jump the hurdle
And oh, you can't get together
And we could be relaxing in my sleeping bag
But all you want to do for me, mama
Is a rag mama rag, there's nowhere to go
Rag mama rag, come on risen up the bow
Rag mama rag, where do you roam?
Rag mama rag, bring your skinny little body back home
It's dog eat dog and cat eat mouse
You can rag mama rag all over my house
Hail stones beatin' on the roof
The bourbon is a hundred proof
It's you and me and the telephone
Our destiny is quite well known
We don't need to sit and brag
All we gotta do is
Rag mama rag, mama rag
Rag mama rag, where do you roam?
Oh, I got me a woman she's a pretty good woman at that
We live with a monkey and a Chinese acrobat
She calls me 'Tex', makes me wear a cowboy hat
But I don't care she's a pretty good woman at that
Nothing in the world make me treat that woman mean
She shaves my beard and she keeps my tractor clean
She burns my bread, makes me eat turnip greens
But I don't care she's a best little woman I've seen
Some folks they move out to California
And some folks they stay in Tennessee
And I don't care where I'm a headed
Just as long as that woman stand by me
Some folks they move out to California
And some folks they stay in Tennessee
Yeah, I don't care where I'm a headed
Just as long as that woman stand by me
Lookin' at the weather do they spend my nights at home
Talking with my baby and blowing on the slide trombone
She talks in turn oh, she really turns me on
With a woman like that a man never wants to roam
Some folks they move out to California
Some folks they stay in Tennessee
Yeah, I don't care where I'm a headed
Just as long as that woman stand by me
Just as long as that woman stand by me
Just as long as that woman stand by me
Thirty miles out in the Gulf Stream,
I can hear them south winds moan
The bridges are looking lower
Shrimp boats hurrying’ home
The Old Man down in the Quarter
Slowly turned his head
Took another sip from his whiskey bottle
And looked at me and he said:
REFRAIN:
I was born in the rain by the Ponchatrain
Underneath the Louisiana moon
I don’t mind the strain of a hurricane
They come around every June
High black water – a devil’s daughter
She’s hard and she’s cold and she’s mean
But nobody’s taught her that it takes
A lot of water to wash away New Orleans
A man come down from Chicago
Gonna set that lady right
It’s got be up about 3 feet higher
We might make through the end of the night
The Old Man down in the quarter
Said “Don’t you listen to that boy!”
The water will be down by morning, son
And he’ll be back on his way to Illinois
REFRAIN
Thirty miles out in the Gulf Stream,
I can hear them south winds moan
The bridges are looking down lower
Shrimp boats hurrying’ home
The Old Man down in the Quarter
Slowly turned his head
Took another sip from his whiskey bottle
And looked at me and he said
I was born in the rain by the Ponchatrain
Underneath the Louisiana moon
I don’t mind the strain of a hurricane
They come around every June
High black water – a devil’s daughter
She’s hard and she’s cold and she’s mean
But we finally taught her that it takes
I wish I knew how it would feel to be free
I wish I could break all of they chains they holding me
And I wish I could say all the things that I should say
Say it loud, say it clear for the whole round world to hear
I wish I could share all the love that's in my heart
And remove all the doubt that keep us apart
I wish you could know what it means to be me
Then you'd see and agree that every man should be free
I wish I could give all I'm longin' to give
I wish I could live like I'm longin' to live
And I wish I could do all the things that I can do
Though I'm way overdue I'd be starting anew
And I wish I could be like a bird in the sky
How sweet it would be if I found out I could fly
I'd soar to the sun and look down at the trees
And I'd sing 'cause I know how it feels to be free
And I'd sing 'cause I know, and I'd sing 'cause I know
And I'd sing 'cause I know how it feels to be free
( Randy Newman )
There's a hundred-thousand Frenchmen in New Orleans
In New Orleans there are Frenchmen everywhere
But your house could fall down
Your baby could drown
Wouldn't none of those Frenchmen care
Everybody gather 'round
Loosen up your suspenders
Hunker down on the ground
I'm a cracker
And you are too
But don't I take good care of you
Who built the highway to Baton Rouge?
Who put up the hospital and built your schools?
Who looks after shit-kickers like you?
The Kingfish do
Who gave a party at the Roosevelt Hotel?
And invited the whole north half of the state down there for free
The people in the city
Had their eyes bugging out
Cause everyone looked just like me
Here comes the Kingfish, the Kingfish
Everybody sing
Here's the Kingfish, the Kingfish
Every man a king
Who took on the Standard Oil men
And whipped their ass
Just like he promised he'd do?
Ain't no Standard Oil men gonna run this state
Gonna be run by little folks like me and you
Here's the Kingfish, the Kingfish
Friend of the working man
The Kingfish, the Kingfish
Little birds are singing all around me, on every bush and vine,
My pleasures would be doubled if I could call you mine.
As I've sat here the whole night through till now it's a breakin' day,
I'm awaitin' for an answer, kind lady what do you say?
If I could tell to you my mind, I would choose a single life,
For I would never thought that it suited for me to be your wife.
So he wrote to her an answer and he sent it by full speed,
"You know I once did love you dearly, I once loved you indeed.
"But since that time my mind has changed, I loved another way,
I love a pretty fair damsel more suitable for me"
And it had not been, but a very short time 'til this maiden's mind did change,
She wrote him a letter, "Kind sir I am ashamed,
"If ever I have slighted you, or ever done you wrong,
I am so far away from you that I can't hear you moan"
Little birds are singing all around me, on every bush and vine,
My pleasures would be doubled if i could call you mine;
Oh the poor old dirt farmer,
He's lost lost all his corn
And now where's the money
To pay off his loan?
He lost all his corn
Cant pay off his loan
He lost all his corn.
Well the poor old dirt farmer,
He only grows stones.
He grows then on down
Till they big enough to roll.
He rolls them on down
To the tax man in town.
Ya, he rolls them on down
Now the poor old dirt farmer
He's left all alone.
His wife and his children
They've packed up and gone.
Packed up and gone
He's left all alone
They've packed up and gone
Well the poor old dirt farmer
How bad he must feel.
He fell off his tractor
Up under the wheel.
And now his head
Is shaped like a tread
But he aint quite dead.
Well the poor old dirt farmer
He cant grow no corn.
He cant grow no corn
Cause he aint got a loan.
He aint got no loan
Cant grow no corn
Well, the single girl, yeah, the single girl
The single girl, she always dresses so fine
She dresses so fine
She always dresses so fine
But the married girl, oh, the married girl
The married girl, she wears just any old kind
Just any old kind
Oh, she wears just any old kind
Well, the single girl, yeah, the single girl
The single girl, she goes anywhere she please
Goes where she please
Oh, she goes anywhere she please
But the married girl, yeah, the married girl
She got a baby on her knees, baby on her knees
Oh, she got a baby on her knees
( Muddy Waters )
You know the girl you love she don't treat you right sometimes
You know the girl you love she don't treat you right sometimes
Well, that's the stuff you gotta watch because your girl is a liar.
You know, the girl you love stays out all night long,
Yeah, the girl you love, she stays out all night long.
That's the stuff you gotta watch because your girl's treatin' you wrong.
I need my hat, go get my coat,
Uncle Zak found out baby you don't want it anymore.
That's the stuff you gotta watch
That's the stuff you gotta watch
That's the stuff you gotta watch if you don't wanna lose your girl.
You know the girl's no good but don't you make no change.
Oh, the girl's no good but don't you make no change.
That's the stuff you gotta watch 'cause you're justified all the same.
She spends your dough, she drinks your gin
And if she rode round the corner then she's ready to go within.
That's the stuff you gotta watch
That's the stuff you gotta watch
That's the stuff you gotta watch if you don't wanna lose your girl.
Well, that's the stuff you gotta watch if you don't wanna lose your girl.
Yeah, that's the stuff you gotta watch if you don't wanna lose your girl.
Cold iron shackles and ball and chain
Listen to the whistle of the evenin' train
You know you bound to wind up dead
If you don't head back to Tennessee Jed
A rich man step on my poor head
When you get back you better butter my bread
Well, you know that it's just like I said
You better hurry on back to Tennessee Jed
Tennessee, Tennessee, there ain't no place I'd rather be
Baby won't you carry me back to Tennessee?
Drank all day and rock all night
A law come to get you if you don't walk right
Got a letter this morning baby, you know what it read
You better hurry on back to Tennessee Jed
I dropped four flights and cracked my spine
Honey, come quick bring the iodine
Gonna catch a few winks baby, hop onto that bed
Then I head on back to Tennessee Jed
Tennessee, Tennessee, there ain't no place I'd rather be
Baby won't you carry me back to Tennessee?
I run into old Charlie Fog
But he blackened my eye and he kicked my dog
My dog turned to me and he said
Let's head on back to Tennessee Jed
I woke up next morning, I was feelin' mean
I went down to play on the slot machine
The wheels they turned around and the letters read
You better hurry on back to Tennessee Jed
Tennessee, Tennessee, there ain't no place I'd rather be
Baby won't you carry me back to Tennessee?
Tennessee, Tennessee, there ain't no place I'd rather be
Baby won't you carry me back to Tennessee?
Baby won't you carry me back to Tennessee?
Oh father tonight they say you are,
To wed another bride,
That you will hold her in your arms,
Where my dear mother died.
They say her name is Mary too,
The name my mother bore,
But Father is she kind and true,
Like the one we loved before.
And is her footstep soft and light,
Her voice so meek and mild,
And father do you think she'll love,
Your blind and helpless child.
Oh father do not bid me come,
To welcome your newmade bride,
I could not greet her in the room,
Where my dear mother died.
But when I've cried myself to sleep,
As I so often do,
Into my chamber you may creep,
My new made mama and you.
He turned away to leave the room,
A joyful cry was given,
He turned about and he knew at last,
His blind child had gone to Heaven.
They buried her by her mother's side,
And erected a marble square,
And there on the tomb these words do read,
The hours sad I left a maid
A lingering farewell taking
Whose sighs and tears my steps delayed
I thought her heart was breaking
In hurried words her name I blest
I breathed the vows that bind me
And to my heart in anguish pressed
The girl I left behind me
Then to the east we bore away
To win a name in story
And there where dawns the sun of day
There dawned our sun of glory
The place in my sight
When in the host assigned me
I shared the glory of that fight
Sweet girl I left behind me
Though many a name our banner bore
Of former deeds of daring
But they were of the day of yore
In which we had no sharing
But now our laurels freshly won
With the old one shall entwine me
Singing worthy of our size each son
Sweet girl I left behind me
The hope of final victory
Within my bosom burning
Is mingling with sweet thoughts of thee
And of my fond returning
But should I n'eer return again
Still with thy love i'll bind me
Dishonors breath shall never stain
Aww, I'm itchy, and I don't know where to scratch
Come here baby, scratch my back
I know you can do it, so baby get to it
Aww, you're workin with it now
You got me feelin' so good
Just look to the sun now baby
Ummmmm...
This little girl sho' knows how'd scratch
Now, you're doin' the chicken scratch
Aww, its lookin' good baby
Just gettin' scratch
Out here the hearts of men are failing
For these are latter days we know
The great depression now is spreading
God's words declared it would be so
I'm going where there's no depression
To the lovely land that's free from care
I'll leave this world of toil and trouble
My home's in heaven, I'm going there
[Instrumental break]
In that bright land there'll be no hunger
No orphan children crying for bread
No weeping widows toil and struggle
No shrouds, no coffins, and no dead
I'm going where there's no depression
To the lovely land that's free from care
I'll leave this world of toil and trouble
My home's in heaven, I'm going there
[Instrumental break]
This dark hour of midnight nearing
Tribulation time will come
The storm will hurl a midnight fierce
And sweep lost millions to their doom
I'm going where there's no depression
To the lovely land that's free from care
I know she's a tracker, any scarlet would back her
They say she's a chooser, but I just can't refuse her
She was just there, but then she can't be here no more
And as my mind unweaves, I feel the freeze down in my knees
But just before she leaves, she receives
She's been down in the dunes and she's dealt with the goons
Now she drinks from the bitter cup, I'm trying to get her to give it up
She was just here, I fear she can't be here no more
And as my mind unweaves, I feel the freeze down in my knees
But just before she leaves, she receives
It's long, long when she's gone, I get weary holding on
Now I'm coldly fading fast, I don't think I'm gonna last
Very much longer
"She's stoned" said the Swede, and the moon calf agreed
I'm like a viper in shock with my eyes in the clock
She was just there somewhere and here I am again
And as my mind unweaves, I feel the freeze down in my knees
Walking along on a path in the mountains
I saw a bird flying way up high
Gold were its wings in the sun of the morning
Flashing at me as it flew through the sky
It's beauty was such, and I felt I must have it
She stood all day, nearly into the night
Finally anger that I couldn't catch it
Determined that I would stop it in flight.
I found a stone by a mountain stream flowing
Grounded and smoothed by the water's fast flow
It felt so warm and alive in my hand
It was an arrow, my arm was a bow.
Then a flashing of wings, and a cry pierced the air
It fluttered and it fell on the rocks at my feet
Weeping a live-pick?, the thing that had fallen
Blood stained my hands and tears wet my cheek.
Later that night as I lay in my bed
I heard the sound of wings in the air
The room became bathed in a warm, golden glow
I opened my eyes and a woman stood there.
(Duet with a woman)
Do not you know when you hurt me so cruelly
I was a love, I was your friend.
You couldn't stand it that I was so free
Go out yonder, peace in the valley
Come downtown, have to rumble in the alley
Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in
Has anybody seen my lady
This living alone will drive me crazy
Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in
I'm gonna go down by the wa - ter
But I ain't gonna jump in, no, no
I'll just be looking for my mak - er
And I hear that that's where she's been? Oh!
Out of nine lives, I spent seven
Now, how in the world do you get to Heaven
Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in
I just spent 60 days in the jailhouse
For the crime of having no dough
Now here I am back out on the street
For the crime of having nowhere to go
Save your neck or save your brother
Looks like it's one or the other
Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in
Now two young kids might start a ruckus
You know they feel you trying to shuck us
Boards on the window
Mail by the door
What would anybody leave so quickly for?
Ophelia
Where have you gone?
The old neighborhood just ain't the same
Nobody knows just what became of
Ophelia
Tell me, what went wrong
Was it somethin' that somebody said?
Mama, I know we broke the rules
Was somebody up against the law?
Honey, you know I'd die for you
Ashes of laughter
The ghost is clear
Why do the best things always disappear
Like Ophelia
Please darken my door
Was it somethin' that somebody said?
Honey, you know we broke the rules
Wu somebody up against the law?
Honey, you know I'd die for you
They got your number
Scared and runnin'
But I'm still waitin' for the second comin'
Of Ophelia
Well, I want somebody
To tell me what's wrong with me
I want somebody
To tell me what's wrong with me
No I ain't in trouble
I'm in so much misery
Now, Fannie Mae
(Fannie Mae)
Baby won't you please come home
(Fannie Mae, my Fannie Mae)
Fannie Mae
(Fannie Mae)
Baby won't you please come home
(Fannie Mae, my Fannie Mae)
Now, I ain't been myself
Girl, since you've been gone
(Fannie Mae, my Fannie Mae)
I can hear your name a ringing
On down the line
(Fannie Mae, Fannie Mae)
Yeah, I can hear your name ringing
On down the line
(Fannie Mae, Fannie Mae)
I wanna know do you love me
Or am I just wasting my time
Now, Fannie Mae
(Fannie Mae)
Baby won't you please come home
(Fannie Mae, my Fannie Mae)
Fannie Mae
Baby won't you please come home
(Fannie Mae, my Fannie Mae)
Girl I ain't been myself
Honey, since you've been gone
(Fannie Mae, my Fannie Mae)
I'm crying oh
Oh, woe, woe, po' me
Crying oh
Oh, oh, oh, po' me
No I ain't in trouble
I'm in so much misery
Fannie Mae
(Fannie Mae)
Baby won't you please come home
(Fannie Mae, my Fannie Mae)
Fannie Mae
Baby won't you please come home
(Fannie Mae, my Fannie Mae)
Now, I ain't been myself
I worked the land to raise a family
Til I was weary to the bone
But hard labor never bothered me
Lord it's all I've ever known
Too many seasons are calamity
And too much interest on the loan
I'm half the size that I used to be
And half of that is stone
The crops ain't worth the seeding
10 will only get you 5
the last stock ima feedin'
I can hardly keep 'em alive
I gotta do what I can to survive
I know the law wont be forgiving
But that'll be the choice I make
I used to farm for a living
And now I'm in the growing trade
the summer beauty of the cotton field
was like a view from heavens door
my granddaddy said that harvest time
was what the good lord made us for
I guess he'd wonder where's the dignity
In a crop you raise to burn
But this land is my legacy
I got nowhere else to turn
Shotgun on my shoulder
Where a tote sack oughta be
The thieves are getting bolder
And the feds may be watchin' me
I gotta quit this eventually
I know the law wont be forgiving
But that'll be the choice I make
I used to farm for a living
But now I'm in the growing trade
Helicopters in the distance
Coming closer everyday
They're gonna meet some resistance
Aint no price I wouldn't pay
There won't be any difference
When they take it all away
Between the cop in the jail house
And the lay out beneath the clay
I guess there's nothing to do now but pray
I know the law wont be forgiving
But that'll be the choice I make
I used to farm for a living
False hearts have been my downfall, pretty women have been my craze
I know my false hearted lover she has sent me to my lonesome grave
Baggy clothes dropping off my body and the wolves howling around my door
May the man who stole my darling girl feel the bite of my forty-four
Corn whiskey has wrecked my body and false love is on my mind
I've searched this whole wide world over, pleasure on earth I cannot find
When my earthly stay is over you can sink my dead body in the sea
You can tell my false hearted lover that the waves will wash over me
False hearts have been my downfall, pretty women have been my craze
I pulled into Nazareth, was feelin' about half past dead;
I just need some place where I can lay my head.
"Hey, mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?"
He just grinned and shook my hand, and "No!", was all he said.
[Chorus:]
Take a load off Fanny, take a load for free;
Take a load off Fanny, And (and) (and) you can put the load right on me.
I picked up my bag, I went lookin' for a place to hide;
When I saw Carmen and the Devil walkin' side by side.
I said, "Hey, Carmen, come on, let's go downtown."
She said, "I gotta go, but m'friend can stick around."
[Chorus]
Go down, Miss Moses, there's nothin' you can say
It's just ol' Luke, and Luke's waitin' on the Judgement Day.
"Well, Luke, my friend, what about young Anna Lee?"
He said, "Do me a favor, son, woncha stay an' keep Anna Lee company?"
[Chorus]
Crazy Chester followed me, and he caught me in the fog.
He said, "I will fix your rack, if you'll take Jack, my dog."
I said, "Wait a minute, Chester, you know I'm a peaceful man."
He said, "That's okay, boy, won't you feed him when you can."
[Chorus]
Catch a cannon ball now, t'take me down the line
My bag is sinkin' low and I do believe it's time.
To get back to Miss Fanny, you know she's the only one.
Who sent me here with her regards for everyone.