The Songs He Sang
Stewball: Lyrics
As performed by Cisco Houston (With Woody Guthrie and Sonny Terry)
Traditional
Appears on:Way out in California Where Stewball was born All the jockeys in the country Said he blew there in a storm You bet on Stewball you might win, win, win Bet on Stewball you might win It was a big day in Dallas Don't you wish you was there You would'a bet your last dollar On that iron gray mare You bet on Stewball you might win, win, win Bet on Stewball you might win When the horses were saddled And the word was given "go", given "go" All the horses, they shot out Like an arrow from a bow You bet on Stewball you might win, win, win Bet on Stewball you might win When that big bell was a-ringing And the horses was run And that big bell was a-singing And the horses did run You bet on Stewball you might win, win, win Bet on Stewball you might win The old folks they hollered The young folks did bawl The children said look, look At that noble Stewball You bet on Stewball you might win, win, win Bet on Stewball you might win You bet on Stewball you might win, win, win Bet on Stewball you might win
Of note:
A remarkbale performance, with Leadbelly's guitar wonderfully simulating the sound of a horse galloping. It's a shame the recording quality and transfer is so poor; I have much better stuff from 20 years before this. See the very differnt version Cisco choose when he was lead Here.
We welcome any suggestions, contributions, or questions. You send it, we'll consider using it. Help us spread the word. And the music. And thanks for visiting.
