LONG GONE LOST JOHN

Lost John sittin' on the railroad track
Waitin' for the freight train to come back
The freight train come back and didn't make no stop
Lost John thought he had to ride the top
'long come a Dixie Flyer just behind time
He missed the cow-catcher when he caught the blind
Now, he's long, long gone

Lost John come by a country woman's house
He said, This is quiet, quiet as a mouse
He said, This is Lost John, be my friend
Be my friend until the end
Now, Mr Lost John, have no fear
I'll send the porter for to buy some beer

Never mind, woman, don't you buy no beer
The hounds is on my trail and I can't stay here
John jumped up on the top of the hill
Says, The hounds ain't caught me and they never will
Now I'm long, long gone

Now the funniest thing I ever have seen
Lost John coming through the Bowling Green
Stone bare-footed, no shoes on his feet
Beggin' everybody for the bread and meat
Now, he's long, long gone

Lost John made a pair of shoes of his own
Just as good a shoes as was ever were worn
Had heels in front, and heels behind
You couldn't tell whichaway Lost John gwine
Now he's long, long gone

He was standin' on the corner, talkin' to his brown
He doubled up his fist and he knocked the police down
The police jumped up, said, Whichaway did he go?
The last time I see him, he was in the Gulf of Mexico
Now he's long, long gone

They took ol' Lost John and they put him in the pen
Now the son-of-a-gun is out and he's gone again
Now he's long, long gone

Now if anyone should ask you who composed this song
Tell 'em Papa Charlie Jackson and idle on
Now he's long, long gone – that's all

Source: transcription of Papa Charlie Jackson 'Long Gone Lost John' recorded in Chicago c. January 1928 and issued as Paramount 12602.

Note: the first two stanzas are my transcription from the reissue on Various Artists 'Songsters & Saints: Vocal Traditions on Race Records Vol 2' Matchbox LP MSEX 2003/2004. The remainder is the transcription given at p 68 of Paul Oliver 'Songsters & Saints' Cambridge Uni Press, Digital Printing 1999 [1984 edition].

Papa Charlie Jackson was the first male blues singer to gain some fame through records. In actuality, he was more of a stage entertainer and songster than bluesman. He was believed to have come from New Orleans and may have spent his earlier years in travelling shows where he would have had close contact with white musicians. In later years, he was based in Chicago and associated with Big Bill Broonzy, Ma Rainey and Ida Cox inter alia.

--Stewie.