The Songs He Sang
Blowing Down That Old Dusty Road: Lyrics
As performed by Cisco Houston
Traditional/Woody Guthrie
Appears on:Sings American Folksongs version:
I'm blowin' down that old dusty road, I'm blowin' down that old dusty road, Blowin' down that old dusty road, Lord, Lord, An' I ain't gonna be treated this a-way. I'm goin' where the chilly winds don't blow I'm goin' where the chilly winds don't blow I'm goin' where the chilly winds don't blow, Lord, Lord, An' I ain't gonna be treated this a-way. Going down the road feeling bad I'm going down the road feeling bad Going down the road feeling bad, Lord, Lord, An' I ain't gonna be treated this a-way. I'm going where the climate suits my clothes I'm going where the climate suits my clothes Going where the climate suits my clothes, Lord, Lord, An' I ain't gonna be treated this a-way. They feed me on corn bread and beans They feed me on corn bread and beans Lord, they feed me on corn bread and beans, Lord, Lord, An' I ain't gonna be treated this a-way. (Hums one verse) I'm goin' where the water taste like wine, I'm goin' where the water taste like wine, Goin' where the water taste like wine, Lord, Lord, An' I ain't a-gonna be treated this way. Takes a ten dollar shoe to fit my feet Takes a ten dollar shoe to fit my feet, Takes a ten dollar shoe to fit my feet, Lord, Lord, An' I ain't a-gonna be treated this way. 'Cause your two dollar shoe hurts my feet, Boys, your two dollar shoe hurts my feet, Well, your two dollar shoe hurts my feet, Lord, Lord, An' I ain't a-gonna be treated this way. I'm blowin' down that old dusty road, I'm blowin' down that old dusty road, I'm blowin' down that old dusty road, Lord, Lord, An' I ain't gonna be treated this a-way. I'm blowin' down that old dusty road, I'm blowin' down that old dusty road, I'm blowin' down that old dusty road, Lord, Lord, An' I ain't gonna be treated this a-way.
The Songs of Woody Guthrie version:
I'm blowin' down that old dusty road, I'm blowin' down that old dusty road, I'm blowin' down that old dusty road, Lord, Lord, An' I ain't gonna be treated this a-way. I'm goin' where the water taste like wine, I'm goin' where the water taste like wine, I'm goin' where the water taste like wine, Lord, Lord, An' I ain't a-gonna be treated this a-way. Well, I'm going where the dust storms never blow I'm going where the dust storms never blow I'm going where the dust storms never blow, Lord, Lord, An' I ain't a-gonna be treated this a-way. They say I'm a dust bowl refugee They say I'm a dust bowl refugee They say I'm a dust bowl refugee Lord, Lord, An' I ain't a-gonna be treated this a-way. My children need three square meals a day My children need three square meals a day My children need three square meals a day Lord, Lord, An' I ain't a-gonna be treated this a-way. I'm looking for a job at honest pay I'm looking for a job at honest pay I'm looking for a job at honest pay Lord, Lord, An' I ain't a-gonna be treated this a-way. I'm blowin' down the old dusty road, I'm blowin' down that old dusty road, I'm blowin' down that old dusty road, Lord, Lord, An' I ain't gonna be treated this a-way.
Of note:
A fine example of a great voice lifting a weak lyric. A long way from a rambling, gambling man, in version 1, this singer is running from trouble and seems rather whiney. Yet his voice is wonderful, making it eminently listenable. Version 2 has more grit and character, but the brevity of the song diminishes its potency a bit. However, an interesting contrast.
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