(Mississippi John Hurt)
1928

I got the blues, I can’t be satisfied (2x)
You can keep those blues, gonna catch that train and ride. Continue Reading

(Cecil Mack, Chris Smith, Everett J. Smith)
1912

Well, the first shot missed him, a mile away
The last shot got him, so they say
Oh, the last shot got him
The last shot got him. Continue Reading

©1999, Scott Ainslie

I’m gonna blow off the top of this mountain
And fill up the valley below.
Before we get done, the dust will block out the sun
And we’ll peel back the layers of coal. Continue Reading

©1997, Scott Ainslie. All rights
reserved.

I found you burying your face, like a boy who cries:
Ragdoll legs and broken arms, one shoe off and one shoe on.
Rain trickles inside the collar: Yellow slicker, 3:00 a.m.
Silent, skewed and thickening—-I touch your shadow with my hand. Continue Reading

(Robert Johnson)

I’m gonna get up in the mornin’ – I believe I’ll dust my broom.
I’m gonna get up in the mornin’ – I believe I’ll dust my broom.
Girlfriend, that man you been lovin’, tell him he can have my room. Continue Reading

J.B. Lenoir

Far back’s I can remember
Either had to plow or hoe
One of those long ol’ nine feet sacks
Standin’ at the old turn row. Continue Reading

(Oris Mays)
Universal-Duchess

Don’t Let The Devil Ride
Don’t let the Devil ride. No, don’t you.
Don’t let the Devil ride.
If you let him ride, he’ll take over and drive.
Don’t let him ride. Continue Reading

(Gary Davis)

Death don’t have no mercy in this land.
Death don’t have no mercy in this land.
Well he’ll come to your house, but he won’t stay long.
Look in the bed and somebody’ll be gone.
Death don’t have no mercy in this land Continue Reading

(Joe Henry/WB Music/True North Music)

I’ve got a date for church tonight. I’m meeting her inside.
So I’m goin’ down to Miller Road, try and catch me a ride.
I’ve got a date in the second pew. And if you don’t see me,
I might be late, might just be watchin’ her from the balcony. Continue Reading

(Robert Johnson)
1936

I went down to the cross road.
Fell down on my knees
I went down to the cross road.
Fell down on my knees.
Asked the Lord above for mercy,
“save a poor boy if you please.” Continue Reading