Help: 'I've Got To Know' (Woody Guthrie)

Subject: 'I've Got To Know'
From: Steve Crumley
Date: 23 Nov 99 - 08:08 PM

Does anyone know where I can get ahold of Woody Guthrie singing "I've Got To Know"? I heard it in the closing credits of the movie "Bob Roberts" and I couldn't find a soundtrack for the movie. If you can't recomend where to get the recording can you post the lyrics?

Many Thanks

Subject: RE: Help: 'I've Got To Know'
From: raredance
Date: 24 Nov 99 - 12:39 AM

I was surprised this lyric wasn't in the DT. The hymn "Farther Along" that served as the model and provided the tune for this Woody Guthrie lyric is in the DT. Here are the Guthrie lyrics as printed in "The Bells of Rhymney" by Pete Seeger (1964 Oak Publications.

I've Got To Know

words by Woody Guthrie (1950 Stormking Music)

Why do your warships sail on my waters?
Why do your bombs drop down from my sky?
Why do you burn my towns and my cities?
I want to know, friend, I want to know why.

CHORUS:
I've got to know, friend, I've got to know!
Hungry lips ask me wherever I go!
Comrades and friends all falling around me,
I've got to know, friend, I've got to know.

Why do these boats haul death to my people
Nitro explosives, cannons and guns?
Where is my food, my soap and my warm clothes?
I've got to know, friend, I've got to know.

You keep me in jail and you lock me in prison,
Your hospital's jammed, and your asylum is full
What made your cop kill my trade union worker?
I've got to know friend, I've got to know.

Why do your warships sail on my ocean?
Why do these bombs drop down from my sky?
Why doesn't your ship bring some food and some clothing?
I've got to know, friend, I've got to know why.

rich r

Subject: RE: Help: 'I've Got To Know'
From: Rana
Date: 24 Nov 99 - 08:16 AM

Hi,

I heard that the director of Bob Roberts did not want the soundtrack released because the songs could then be heard out of the context of the movie and the message totally mis-represented.

On a related point, didn't Eric Bogle stop performing one of his songs because it got adopted by an extreme right group who totally missed the true point of the song.

Rana

Subject: RE: Help: 'I've Got To Know'
From:
Date: 25 Nov 99 - 05:58 AM

I don't know which one that would be Rana, but I know "I'm Proud to be an Okie from the Skokie" was taken up by the rednecks whereas the author (darn, I can't remember his name) meant it to be a joke.

Murray

Subject: RE: Help: 'I've Got To Know'
From: Wolfgang
Date: 25 Nov 99 - 06:55 AM

As for the Eric Bogle song, I think it was 'I hate wogs' (they live like dogs, some eat bananas and some eat frogs).

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Help: 'I've Got To Know'
From: Stewie
Date: 26 Nov 99 - 01:17 AM

Murray, it was Merle Haggard.

Subject: I've Got To Know
From: Steve
Date: 26 Nov 99 - 03:45 AM

I need to know where I can find the song "I've Got To Know" by Woody Guthrie. I heard it in the closing credits of the movie "Bob Roberts. There is no soundtrack. HELP! I need lyrics and/or the name of where I can find it. To my knowledge, it's not officialy released.Thanks

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I've Got To Know
From: stewart
Date: 26 Nov 99 - 04:05 AM

Billy Bragg recently 'completed' some unfinished songs by Woody. Perhaps you could find 'Ive got to know' by searching Billy Bragg! Good luck Stewart

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I've Got To Know
From: Davey
Date: 26 Nov 99 - 10:39 AM

Steve, I know I have the words at home (I'm at work now) and I'll try to copy them for you this weekend if someone else doesn't beat me to it.

Davey... (:>)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I've Got To Know
From: Wesley S
Date: 26 Nov 99 - 11:05 AM

Steve - I'm pretty sure that I read an interview with Tim Robbins where he said that he didn't want to release a soundtrack for "Bob Roberts" because he was worried that people might enjoy the songs too much and actually start performing them. Why not go down to your local video store if you have one and rent it again? It's worth a second look. Take it easy but take it { as Woody used to say }.

Subject: RE: Help: 'I've Got To Know'
From: Doctor John
Date: 26 Nov 99 - 01:04 PM

This was one of the many recordings that Woody made for his music publisher, the Richmond Organization. His family were going to release them and then changed their minds. However this track appears on the Bear Family CD set "Songs for Political Action". This is a 10 CD set with a very impressive book full of wonderful photographs. Well worth applying for a mortgage for! Dr John

Subject: RE: Help: 'I've Got To Know'
From: c. potter
Date: 26 Nov 99 - 01:06 PM

Who wrote "Over the River and Trhough the Woods"?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I've Got To Know
From: raredance
Date: 26 Nov 99 - 08:17 PM

Steve, There is a parallel universe setting up here. The lyrics are in the other thread.

Subject: RE: Woody Guthrie's unreleased recordings
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Nov 02 - 02:59 PM

i am looking for a copy of the lyrics to woody's tune ive got to know please send to [e-mail] thanks

Subject: ADD: I've Got to Know (Woody Guthrie)
From: 12-stringer
Date: 04 Nov 02 - 07:10 PM

For GUEST ([e-mail])

I'VE GOT TO KNOW
(Woody Guthrie)

CHORUS
I've got to know, yes, I've got to know, friend
Hungry lips ask me wherever I go
Comrades and friends all a-falling around me
I've got to know, yes, I've got to know

1. Why do your war boats ride on my waters?
Why do your death bombs fall from my skies?
Tell me why did you burn my farm and my town down?
I've got to know , friend, I've got to know!

2. What makes your boats haul death to my people?
Nitro block busters, big cannons and guns?
Why doesn't your ship bring food and some clothing?
I've sure got to know, folks, I've sure got to know!

3. Why can't my two hands get a good pay job?
I can steel plow and plant, I can still sow!
Why did your lawbook chase me off my good land?
I'd sure like to know, friend, I've just got to know!

4. What good work did you do, I'd like to ask you,
To give you my money right out of my hands?
I built your big house here to hide from my people;
Why do you crave to hide so, I'd love to know!

5. You keep me in jail and you lock me in prison
Your hospital's jammed and your crazyhouse full;
What made your cop kill my trade union worker?
You have to talk plain, 'cause I sure have to know.

6. Why can't I get work and cash a big paycheck?
Why can't I buy things in your place and your store?
Why close my plant down and starve all my buddies?
I'm asking you sir, 'cause I've sure got to know!

(c) 1963, Ludlow Music, words and music by Woody Guthrie
(from The Nearly Complete Collection of Woody Guthrie Folk Songs, 1963, p 167-168)

Subject: Chord Req: i've got to know
From: GUEST,goodbar
Date: 22 Jul 06 - 08:57 PM

anyone know the song?

i think i've worked out u. utah phillips' version... sort of. i have a really crappy ear so i'm hoping someone can provide the "correct" chords.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: i've got to know
From: Peace
Date: 22 Jul 06 - 09:05 PM

Message Kendall or Mark Ross.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: i've got to know
From: Sorcha
Date: 22 Jul 06 - 09:12 PM

Or email Utah, aka Bruce. He has a web page

Subject: RE: Woody Guthrie's unreleased recordings
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 03:11 PM

I have a copy of I've Got To Know if somebody wants it..I'm at [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Woody Guthrie's unreleased recordings
From: BrooklynJay
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 04:48 PM

Woody Guthrie's I've Got To Know can be viewed on YouTube.

Subject: RE: Help: 'I've Got To Know' (Woody Guthrie)
From: GUEST,Spike
Date: 26 Nov 12 - 07:58 PM

Anyone got the chords fer this song? It's one of my favourite Woody tunes and I'd love to be able to strum out a rough version.

Subject: RE: Help: 'I've Got To Know' (Woody Guthrie)
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Nov 12 - 10:22 PM

Guest Spike:
It's just I and V7 in your favorite key.

Subject: RE: Help: 'I've Got To Know' (Woody Guthrie)
From: 12-stringer
Date: 26 Nov 12 - 10:24 PM

12-stringer forgot his cookie needed to be reset after a Firefox update.

Subject: RE: Help: 'I've Got To Know' (Woody Guthrie)
From: Mark Ross
Date: 26 Nov 12 - 11:50 PM

No, there's a IV chord in there also.


I                   IV                I
I've got know, yes, I've got to know,
I                                    V
Hungry lips ask me wherever I go,
I                               IV             I   
Comrades and friends all gathered around me,
I                        V            I
I've got know, yes, I've got to know.


Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Help: 'I've Got To Know' (Woody Guthrie)
From: GUEST,Stim
Date: 27 Nov 12 - 01:28 AM

Woody just used the two chords, though you can hear where he could've put the IV if he'd wanted to.

Subject: RE: Help: 'I've Got To Know' (Woody Guthrie)
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 27 Nov 12 - 03:22 PM

Woody's rendition on YouTube

~ Becky in Long Beach

Subject: RE: Help: 'I've Got To Know' (Woody Guthrie)
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 06 Dec 15 - 12:34 AM

Also recorded by Tom Rush on his first Elektra record in 1965, only he called it, I'd Like To Know. The album is now available on CD from BGO Records.

Subject: RE: Help: 'I've Got To Know' (Woody Guthrie)
From: BrooklynJay
Date: 10 Jul 19 - 01:58 PM

The YouTube link posted above by Desert Dancer is dead.

Try this one:

I've Got to Know by Woody Guthrie

This is the same recording used during the closing credits of the film Bob Roberts. As far as I know, it may be the only recording Woody made of the song.


Jay