The Songs He Sang
The Midnight Special: Lyrics
As performed by Cisco Houston
Huddie Ledbetter
Appears on:When you wake up in the morning Hear the ding-dong ring Go marching to the table You get the same damn thing Knife and fork are on the table Nothing in my pan If you say anything about it You got trouble with the man Chorus: Let the Midnight Special Shine her light on me Let the midnight special Shine her everlovin' light on me Well jumping little Judy Was a mighty fine gal Little Judy brought jumpin' To this whole wide world Well she brought it in the morning Just a while 'fore day And she brought me the news That my wife was dead That started me to grievin' And a-hollering and a-crying Started me to thinking About my great long time Chorus: Yonder come my woman How in the world do you know? I can tell her by her apron And the dress she wore Umbrella on her shoulder Piece of paper in her hand Marching up to the captain Says "I want my man." Chorus: If you ever got to Houston Boys, you better act right Well you better not squabble And you better not fight Benson Brocker will arrest you And take you down And if the jury find you guilty Why, you're Sugarland bound Chorus: (twice)
Of note:
These lyrics are presented as performed on "A Legacy", though the changes on "Sings American Folksongs" are minor, other than that the verse listed here as last is performed second. Though perfomed by many, Cisco's version is pretty close to the one as originated by Leadbelly. And I love the ordering of this followed by Great July Jones. Cisco sounds wonderful on "Sings American Folksongs", a bit more tired and perfunctory on "A Legacy."
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