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39. Good As I Been To You
Bob Dylan
1992
1. Frankie & Albert
Frankie was a good girl, everybody knowed
Paid one hundred dollars for Albert's new suit and clothes
He was a man that done her wrong
Albert said, "I'm leavin' you, won't be gone for long
Don't wait up for me or worry 'bout me when I'm gone"
He was a man that done her wrong
Frankie went down to the corner saloon, get a bucket of beer
Said to the bartender "Has my lovin' man been here"
He was a man that done her wrong
"Well I ain't gonna tell you no stories, I ain't gonna tell you no lies
Saw Albert an hour ago with girl name Alice Bride"
He was a man that done her wrong
Frankie went down to twelfth street, look up in the window high
She saw her Albert there lovin' up Alice Bride
He was a man that done her wrong
Frankie pulled out a pistol, pulled out a forty-four
Gun went off, a rooty-toot-toot, and Albert fell on the floor
He was a man that done her wrong
Frankie got down upon her knees, took'a Albert into her lap
Started to hug and kiss him but there wasn't no bringing him back
He was a man that done her wrong
Gimme thousand policemen, ??? hotel
"I shot my Albert dead and now I'm goin' to jail
He was my man, but he done me wrong"
Judge said to the jury, "Plain as plain can be
A woman shot her lover down, it was murder in the second degree
He was a man that done her wrong"
Frankie went to the scaffolf, calm as a girl could be
Turned her eyes up towards the heavens, said "Nearer my God to be"
He was a man, but he done her wrong
2. Jim Jones
Come and listen for a moment lads
And hear me tell my tale
How across the sea from England
I was condemned to sail.
by the jury found me guilty
Then says the judge says he
O For life Jim Jones I 'm sending you
Across the stormy sea.
O take a trip before you ship
To join the iron gang
Don't get to gay Botney Bay
or else you'll surely hang.
Or else you'll surely hang says he
And after that Jim Jones
Is high up upon the gallows tree--
The crows will pick your bones.
Well our ship was high upon the sea when
Pirates came along.
But the soldiers on our convict ship were
full 500 strong.
O they opened fire and somehow drove
That pirate ship away
But I'd rather have joined that
Pirate ship than gone to Botney bay.
With the storms a raging around us
And the winds a blowing gales
I'd rather have drowned in misery
Than gone to New South Wales.
There's no time for mischief there they say
Remember that says they
For they'll flog the person out of you
Down there in Botney Bay.
Now its day and night the irons clang and
Like poor galley slaves
We toil and toil and when we die
Must fill dishonored graves.
Well its by and by I'll slip my chains
Into the bush I'll go
I'll join the bravest rangers there
Jack Donahoe and Co.
And some dark night when everything
Is silent in the town
I'll shoot those tyrants one and all
I'll gun the floggers down.
Oh I'll give the law a little shock
To remeber what I say
And they'll yet regret they've sent
Jim Jones in chains to Botney Bay.
3. Blackjack Davey
Blackjack Davey came a ridin' on by whistling loud and merry
Made the words around him ring and he charmed the heart of a lady
Charmed the heart of a lady
How old are you my pretty little miss
How old are you my honey
She answered to him with a lovin' smile, "I'll be sixteen come Sunday,
Be sixteen come Sunday"
"Come and go with me my pretty little miss
Come and go with me my honey
Take you where the grass grows green
You never will want for money
Never will want for money"
"Pull off, pull off those high heeled shoes
Well made of Spanish leather
Git behind me on my white horse
And we'll ride off together
We'll both go off together"
Well she pulled off them high heeled shoes
Made of Spanish leather
Got behind him on his horse
And they rode off together
They both rode off together
That night the boss came home inquirying about his lady
The servant spoke before she thought, "She's been with Blackjack Davey,
Rode off with Blackjack Davey"
"Well saddle for me my coal black stud
He's speedier than the grave
I rode all day and I'll ride all night and I'll overtake my lady
I'll bring back my lady"
Well he rode all night 'til the broad daylight
'Til he came to a river ragin'
And there he spied his darlin' bride in the arms of Blackjack Davey
Wrapped up with Blackjack Davey
"Pull off, Pull off them long blue gloves
Well made of the finest leather
Give to me your lilly white hand and we'll go home together
We'll both go home together"
Well she pulled off them long blue gloves
Well made of the finest leather
Gave to him her lilly white hand and said goodbye forever
Bid farewell forever
Would you forsake your house and home, would you forsake your baby
Would you forsake your husband too
To go with Blackjack Davey
Ride off with Blackjack Davey
"Well I've forsaken my house and home and I'll forsake my baby
I'll forsake my husband too
For the love of Blackjack Davey
Love my Blackjack Davey"
"Last night I slept in a feather bed between my husband and baby
Tonight I lay on the river banks in the arms of Blackjack Davey
Love my Blackjack Davey"
4. Canadee-I-O
Well ??? and a handsome girl, she's all in her tender years
She fell in love with a sailor boy, it's true she loved him well
For to go off to sea with him like she did not know how
She longed to see that seaport town called Canadee-I-O
So she bargained with the sailor boy, offered piece of gold
Straightway then he lead her down into the hold
Saying, "I'll dress you up in sailors clothes, your jacket shall be blue"
You'll see that seaport town called Canadee-I-O
Now when the other sailors heard the news, well they fell into enrage
And with all the ships company they were willin' to engage
Saying, "We'll tie her hands and feet my boys, overboard we'll throw her
She'll never see that seaport town called Canadee-I-O"
Now when the captain he heard the news, well he too fell in enrage
And with the whole ships company he was willin' to engage
Saying, "She'll stay on in sailors clothes, her color shall be blue
She'll see that seaport town called Canadee-I-O"
Now when they came down to Canada, scarcely half 'bout a year
She's married this bull captain who called her his dear
She's dressed in silks and satins now, she cuts a girlish charm
Finest of the ladies down Canadee-I-O
C'mon you fair and gentle girls whereever you so may be
I'll have you follow your on true love, when I goes to sea
For if the sailors prove false to you, well the captain he might prove true
You'll see what I have gained by the wearin' of the blue
5. Sittin' On Top Of The World
Was in the summer, one early fall
Just trying to find my baby all in all
Now she's gone, I don't worry, Lord I'm sittin' on top of the world
Was in the spring, one summer's day
That's when she left me, she gone to stay
Now she's gone, I don't worry, Lord I'm sittin' on top of the world
Now don't come runnin' holdin' up your hands
Can't get me a woman quick as you can get a man
Now she's gone and I don't worry, Lord I'm sittin' on top of the world
Had been for days, didn't know your name
Why should I worry, I'll crave you in vain
Now she's gone, I don't worry, Lord I'm sittin' on top of the world
Went to the station down in the yard
Got me a freight train when the goin' got hard
Now she's gone, I don't worry, Lord I'm sittin' on top of the world
The lonesome days they have gone by
Why should I beg you, you said goodbye
Now she's gone, I don't worry, Lord I'm sittin' on top of the world
6. Little Maggie
Ohh where is little Maggie, over yonder she stands
Rifle on her shoulder, six shooter in her hand
How can I ever stand it, just to see them two blue eyes
Shinin' like some diamond, like some diamond in the sky
Rather be in some lonely holler, where the sun don't every shine
Than see you be another man's darlin' and to know that you'll never be mine
Well it's march me away to the station with my suitcase in my hand
Yeah it's march me away to the station, I'm off to some far just land
Sometimes I have a nickle and sometimes I have a dime
Sometimes I have ten dollars just to pay little Maggie whose mine
Pretty flowers are made for bloomin', pretty stars are made to shine
Pretty girls are made for boys' love, little Maggie was made for mine
Well yonder stands little Maggie with a dram glass in her hand
She's drinkin' down her troubles over courtin' some other man
7. Hard Times
Let us pause in life's pleasures and count it's many tears
While we all sob sorrow with the poor
There's a song that will linger forever in our ears
Ahh hard times come again no more
Tis the song, the sigh of the weary
Hard times, hard times come again no more
Many days you have lingered all around my cabin door
Ahh hard times come again no more
While we seek mirth and beauty and music night and day
There are frail forms banging at the door
Though there voices are silent, there pleading looks will say
Ahh hard times come again no more
Tis the song, the sigh of the weary
Hard times, hard times come again no more
Many days you have lingered all around my cabin door
Ohh hard times come again no more
There's a pale droopy maiden who toils her life away
With the worn heart ???
The boys that would me merry, all the day
Ahh hard times come again no more
Tis the song, the sigh of the weary
Hard times, hard times come again no more
Many days you have lingered all around my cabin door
Ahh hard times come again no more
Tis the song, the sigh of the weary
Hard times, hard times come again no more
Many days you have lingered all around my cabin door
Ahh hard times come again no more
8. Step It Up And Go
Got a little girl who's little and low
She used to love me but she don't no more
She gotta step it up and go, yeah go
Can't stand back, swear you gotta step it up and go
Gotta a little girl she stays upstairs
Make a livin' by puttin' on airs
Gotta step it up and go, yeah man
Can't stand the past, swear you gotta step it up and go
Front door shut back door too
Blinds pulled down whatcha gonna do
Gotta step it up and go, yeah go
Can't stand the past, swear you gotta step it up and go
Gotta a little girl her name is Ball
Give her a little bit, she took it all
Step it up and go, yeah man
Can't stand the past, swear you gotta step it up and go
Me and my baby walkin' down the street
Tellin' everybody but the cheif of police
Gotta step it up and go, yeah go
Can't stand the past, swear you gotta step it up and go
Tell my woman she not home
Ain't a lovin' but she been gone
Gotta step it up and go, yeah go
Can't stand back, swear you gotta step it up and go
Well I sing this verse, ain't gonna sing no more
??? I gotta go
Step it up and go, yeah go
Can't stand back, swear you gotta step it up and go
9. Tomorrow Night
Tomorrow night will you remember what you said tonight
Tomorrow night will all the thrill be gone
Tomorrow night will it be just another memory
Or just another song that's in my heart to linger on
Your lips are so tender, your heart is beating fast
And you willingly surrender to me darling will it last
Tomorrow night will you be with me when the moon is bright
Tomorrow night will you say those lovely things you said tonight
Your lips are so tender, your heart is beating fast
And you willing surrender to me, but darling will it last
Tomorrow night will be with me when the moon is bright
Tomorrow night will you say those lovely things you said tonight
10. Arthur McBride
Me and my cousin, one Arthur McBride
As we went a-walkin' down by the seaside
Ah mark what followed and what did betide
For it being on Christmas mornin'
Now for recreation we went on a tramp
And we met Sergeant Napper and Corparal Vamp
And a little wee drummer intendin' to camp
For the day being pleasant and charmin'
"Good morning, good morning" the Sergeant did cry
"And the same to you gentlemen" we did reply
Intendin' no harm but meant to pass by
For it being on Christmas morning
But says he "My fine fellows if you will enlist
It's ten guineas in gold I will slip in your fists
And a crown in the bargain for to kick up the dust
And drink the King's health in the morning
For a soldier he leads a very fine life
And he always is blessed with a charmin' young wife
And he pays all his debts without sorrow or strife
And he always lives pleasant and charming
And a soldier he always is decent and clean
In the finest of clothing he's constantly seen
While other poor fellows look dirty and mean
And sup on thin gruel in the morning"
But says Arthur "I wouldn't be proud of your clothes
For you've only the lend of them, as I suppose
And you dare not change them one night for you know
If you do you'll be flogged in the mornin'
And although that we are single and free
We take great delight in our own company
And we have no desire strange faces to see
Although that your offers are charming
And we have no desire to take your advance
All hazards and dangers we'd barter on chance
For you would have no scruple for to send us to France
Where we would get shot without warning"
"Oh no," says the Sergeant, "I'll have no such chat
And neither will take it from spalpeen or brat
For if you insult me with one other word
I'll cut off your heads in the morning"
And Arthur and I we soon drew our odds
And we scarce gave them time to draw their own blades
When a trusty shillelagh came over their heads
And bade them take that as fair warning
And their old rusty rapiers that hung by their sides
We flung them as far as we could in the tide
"Now take them out, devils," cried Arthur McBride
"And temper their edge in the mornin'"
And the little wee drummer we flattened his ball
And we made a foot-bowl of his rowdy-dowd-dowd
Threw it in the tide for to rock and to roll
And bade it a tedious returning
And we having no money, paid them off in cracks
And we paid no respect to their two bloody backs
And we lathered at them there like a pair of wet sacks
And left them for dead in the morning
And so to conclude and to finish disputes
We obligingly asked if they wanted recruits
For we were the lads who would give them our clouts
And bid them look sharp in the morning
Me and my cousin, one Arthur McBride
As we went a-walkin' down by the seaside
Ah mark what followed and what did betide
For it being on Christmas mornin'
11. You're Gonna Quit Me
You're gonna quit me baby
Good as I been to you, Lord, Lord
Good as I been to you, Lord, Lord
Good as I been to you
Give you more money honey
Buy you shoes and clothes, Lord, Lord
Buy you shoes and clothes, Lord, Lord
Buy you shoes and clothes
You're gonna quit me baby
Put me out of doors, Lord, Lord
Put me out of doors, Lord, Lord
Put me out of doors
Six months on the chain gang
Believe me it ain't no fun, Lord, Lord
Believe me it ain't no fun, Lord, Lord
Believe me it ain't no fun
The day you quit me baby
That's the day you die, Lord, Lord
That's the day you die, Lord, Lord
That's the day you die
Jailhouse ain't no plaything
Believe me ain't no lie, Lord, Lord
Believe me ain't no lie, Lord, Lord
Believe me ain't no lie
The day you quit me baby
That's the day you die, Lord, Lord
That's the day you die, Lord, Lord
That's the day you die
12. Diamond Joe
Now there's a man you'll hear about most anywhere you go
And his holdings are in Texas and his name is Diamond Joe
He carries all his money in a diamond studded jar
Never took much trouble with the process of the law
Well I did up to Diamond Joe boys, did offer him my hand
He gave me a string of horses so old they could not stand
And I never starved to death boys, he did mistreat so
I never saved a dollar in the pay of Diamond Joe
There was bread ??? and his meat he couldn't chaw
Nearly drove me crazy with the waggin' of his jaw
And the tellin' of his stories, I mean to let you know
That there never was a rounder that could lie like Diamond Joe
I tried three times to quit him, but he did argue so
I'm still punchin' cattle in the pay of Diamond Joe
And when I'm called up yonder and its my time to go
Give my blankets to my buddy, give the fleas to Diamond Joe
13. Froggie Went A Courtin'
Frog went a courtin' and he did ride, uh-huh
Frog went a courtin' and he did ride, uh-huh
Frog went a courtin' and he did ride
With a sword and a pistol by his side, uh-huh
Well he rode right up to Miss Mousey's door, uh-huh
He rode right up to Miss Mousey's door, uh-huh
He rode right up to Miss Mousey's door
Gave three raps and a very loud roar, uh-huh
He said Miss Mouse are you within, uh-huh
He said Miss Mouse are you within, uh-huh
He said Miss Mouse are you within
Yes kind sir I sit and spin, uh-huh
He took Miss Mousey on his knee, uh-huh
Took Miss Mousey on his knee, uh-huh
Took Miss Mousey on his knee
Said Miss Mousey will you marry me, uh-huh
Without my uncle rat's consent, uh-huh
Without my uncle rat's consent, uh-huh
Without my uncle rat's consent
I wouldn't marry the president, uh-huh
Uncle rat laughed and he shook his fat sides, uh-huh
Uncle rat laughed and he shook his fat sides, uh-huh
Uncle rat laughed and he shook his fat sides
To think his niece would be a bride
Uncle rat went runnin' downtown, uh-huh
Uncle rat went runnin' downtown, uh-huh
Uncle rat went runnin' downtown
To buy his niece a wedding gown, uh-huh
Where should the wedding supper be, uh-huh
Where should the wedding supper be, uh-huh
Where should the wedding supper be
Way down yonder in the hollow tree, uh-huh
What should the wedding supper be, uh-huh
What should the wedding supper be, uh-huh
What should the wedding supper be
Fried mosquitoe and a ???
First to come in was the flyin' moth, uh-huh
First to come in was the flyin' moth, uh-huh
First to come in was the flyin' moth
She laid out the tablecloth, uh-huh
Next to come in was the judy bug, uh-huh
Next to come in was the judy bug, uh-huh
Next to come in was the judy bug
She brought the water jug, uh-huh
Next to come in was a bumbley bee, uh-huh
Next to come in was a bumbley bee, uh-huh
Next to come in was a bumbley bee
Sat mosquitoe on his knee
Next to come in was a broken back flea, uh-huh
Next to come in was a broken back flea, uh-huh
Next to come in was a broken back flea
Danced a jig with the bumbley bee, uh-huh
Next to come in was Mrs cow, uh-huh
Next to come in was Mrs cow, uh-huh
Next to come in was Mrs cow
She tried to dance but she didn't know how, uh-huh
Next to come in was a little black tick, uh-huh
Next to come in was a little black tick, uh-huh
Next to come in was a little black tick
She ate so much it made her sick
Next to come in was a big blake snake, uh-huh
Next to come in was a big blake snake, uh-huh
Next to come in was a big blake snake
Ate up all of the wedding cake, uh-huh
Next to come in was the old grey cat, uh-huh
Next to come in was the old grey cat, uh-huh
Next to come in was the old grey cat
Swallowed the mouse and ate up the rat, uh-huh
Mr Frog went hoppin up over the brook, uh-huh
Mr Frog went hoppin up over the brook, uh-huh
Mr Frog went hoppin up over the brook,
A lilly white duck came and swallowed him up, uh-huh
A little piece of cornbread layin' on the shelf, uh-huh
A little piece of cornbread layin' on the shelf, uh-huh
A little piece of cornbread layin' on the shelf
If you want anymore you can sing it yourself, uh-huh
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