The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #2383 Message #3588112
Posted By: Jim Dixon
01-Jan-14 - 10:48 AM
Thread Name: ADD: Spike Driver Blues (Mississippi John Hurt)
Subject: Lyr Add: SPIKE DRIVER'S MOAN (Dave Van Ronk)
SPIKE DRIVER'S MOAN
As sung by Dave Van Ronk on "Dave Van Ronk Sings" (Folkways FA 2383, 1961)*
This ol' hammer it killed John Henry.
Won't kill me, won't kill me.
This ol' hammer it killed John Henry.
Won't kill me.
John Henry left his hammer lyin' there
On the side o' the road, side o' the road.
John Henry left his hammer lyin' there
All covered with blood.
Got a rainbow around my shoulder,
Shine like gold, yes, like gold.
Got a rainbow around my shoulder,
Shine like gold.
Take this hammer an' throw it in the river.
Ring right on, yes, right on.
Take this hammer an' throw it in the river.
Yes, it ring right on.
Take this hammer and carry it to the captain.
Tell him I'm gone, yes, I'm gone.
Take this hammer and carry it to the captain.
Yes, I'm gone.
It's a long way from east Colorado
To my home, yes, my home.
It's a long way from east Colorado.
That's where I'm gone.
Goin' back to that red clay country.
That's my home, yes, my home.
Goin' back to that red clay country,
Where I belong.
This ol' hammer it killed John Henry.
Won't kill me, won't kill me.
This ol' hammer it killed John Henry.
Well, won't kill me.
* This was the first issue. Also reissued as SPIKE DRIVER BLUES on some collections. See this Dave Van Ronk discography.