I was thinking we needed a DTStudy thread on this song, but I think this thread is an undiscovered gem that needs to be resurrected as an origins thread. Here's what the Traditional Ballad Index has to say about this song:
Easy Rider
DESCRIPTION: "Easy rider, see what you have done... Made me love you, now your man done come." The singer expresses regret about the relationship between men and women, but hopes to do better in the future
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1925 (recording, Ma Rainey)
KEYWORDS: love courting husband infidelity floatingverses
FOUND IN: US(So)
REFERENCES (7 citations):
Sandburg, pp. 246-247, "C. C. Rider" (2 short texts, 1 tune)
Lomax-FSUSA 22, "Easy Rider" (1 text, 1 tune)
Courlander-NFM, p. 19, "(See See Rider)" (1 tune, partial text); cf. pp. 152-153 (apparently a combination of this song with "Satisfied") (1 text, 1 tune)
Burton-TNSingers, pp. 136-137, "Easy Rider" (1 text)
Silber-FSWB, p. 75, "Easy Rider" (1 text)
DT, EASYRIDR*
ADDITIONAL: Moses Asch and Alan Lomax, Editors, _The Leadbelly Songbook_, Oak, 1962, p. 89, "Easy Rider" (1 text, 1 tune)
Roud #10056
RECORDINGS:
Texas Alexander, "Easy Rider Blues" (Vocalion 02856, 1934)
Bea Booze [pseud. for Muriel Nichols], "See See Rider Blues" (Decca 8633, 1942; Decca 48055, n.d.)
Jimmie Davis, "Easy Rider Blues" (Bluebird B-5570, 1934)
Scott Dunbar, Celeste Dunbar & Rosie Dunbar, "Easy Rider" (on MuSouth05)
Blind Lemon Jefferson, "Easy Rider Blues" (Paramount 12474, 1927)
Tom Johnson & John Copeland, "See See Mama" (on MuSouth05)
Sam McGee, "Easy Rider" (Vocalion 5254, c. 1929; rec. July 25 1928)
Ma Rainey, "See See Rider Blues" (Paramount 12252, 1925)
Leo Soileau, "Easy Rider Blues" (Paramount 12808, 1929)
Chuck Willis, "C. C. Rider" (Classic Wax CW-0004, rec. 1957)
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "Little Birdie" (theme)
cf. "Chilly Winds" (floating lyrics)
cf. "Vesta and Mattie's Blues" (floating lyrics)
NOTES: The Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang's "b" definition [of "easy rider"], "a woman who is sexually promiscuous or easily seduced", is the one that applies here. (Another definition, interestingly enough, is "guitar.") - PJS
Last updated in version 3.1
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Here are the Digital Tradition lyrics, which come from Lomax:EASY RIDER (C.C.RIDER)
Easy rider, see what you done done, Lawd, Lawd,
Easy rider, see what you done done,
Easy rider, see what you done done,
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
Made me love you, now yo' man done come, Lawd, Lawd,
Made me love you, now yo'man done come,
Made me love you, now yo'man done come,
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
When you see me comin', h'ist yo' windows high, Lawd, Lawd,
When you see me comin', h'ist yo' windows high,
When you see me comin', h'ist yo' windows high,
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
When you see me leavin', hang yo' head an' cry, Lawd, Lawd,
When you see me leavin', hang yo' head an' cry,
When you see me leavin', hang yo' head an' cry,
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
If I was a headlight on some western train, Lawd, Lawd,
I'd shine my light on cool Colorado Springs,
I'd shine my light on cool Colorado Springs,
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
I'm goin' to the nation and the territo', Lawd, Lawd,
Tryin' to fin' a honey gal I know,
Tryin' to fin' a honey gal I know,
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
If I was a catfish swimmin' in the deep blue sea, Lawd, Lawd,
I'd keep those women from fussin' over me,
I'd keep those women From fussin' over me,
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
Note: Often sung with two repeated lines, followed by a rhyming third
line (2 lines from verse 1, tag line from verse 2). "Hey hey
etc." sometimes omitted. One can insert "floater" verses from
just about any standard blueTUNE FILE: on' like my peaches, don'
CLICK TO PLAY
shake my tree etc.)
From Folk Song USA, Lomax
@blues
filename[ EASYRIDR
TUNE FILE: EASYRIDR
CLICK TO PLAY
RG
This page (click) on the song is interesting, but the use of the term "registrated for copyright" makes me wonder about its credibility.