Ο σπουδαίος κιθαρίστας, singer – songwriter Henry Thomas από το Τέξας, αποτελεί κομβική φυσιογνωμία για την εξέλιξη των country blues. Το τραγούδι του “Bull-Doze Blues”, ηχογραφημένο το 1928, θα επαναφερόταν στην επικαιρότητα 40 χρόνια αργότερα από τους Canned Heat, στο πλαίσιο του blues revival των ‘60s, για να αποτελέσει τον ανεπίσημο ύμνο του Woodstock. Οι στίχοι διαφορετικοί, όπως και ο τίτλος: “Going Up The Country”…
The prominent guitarist, singer-songwriter Henry Thomas from Texas, was a central figure in the evolution of country blues. His song “Bull-Doze Blues”, recorded in 1928, would become a hit 40 years later, during the ‘60s blues revival, released by Canned Heat with new lyrics and title: “Going Up The Country”. The song became the unofficial Woodstock anthem.
I’m going away, babe, and it won’t be long
I’m going away and it won’t be long
I’m going away and it won’t be long
Just as sure as that train leaves out of that Mobile yard
Just as sure as that train leaves out of that Mobile yard
Just as sure as that train leaves out of that Mobile yard
Come shake your hand, tell your papa goodbye
Come shake your hand, tell your papa goodbye
Come shake your hand, tell your papa goodbye
I’m going back to Tennessee
I’m going back to Memphis, Tennessee
I’m going back to Memphis, Tennessee
I’m going where I never get bull-dozed
I’m going where I never get the bull-doze
I’m going where I never get bull-dozed
If you don’t believe I’m sinking
Look what a hole I’m in
If you don’t believe I’m sinking
Look what a hole I’m in
If you don’t believe I’m sinking
Look what a fool I’ve been
Oh, my babe, take me back
How in the world…
Lord, take me back
I’m going up the country
Baby, don’t you wanna go?
I’m going up the country
Baby, don’t you wanna go?
We gonna go somewhere
Where I’ve never been before
I’m going, I’m going
Where the water tastes like wine
I’m going
Where the water tastes like wine
So we can jump in the water
Stay drunk all the time
Come on now Ricky
I’m gonna leave this city
Got to get away
I’m gonna leave this city
Got to get away
Well, all this fussing and fighting
Man, you know I sure can’t stay
Now baby, pack your leaving trunk
‘Cause we’ve got to leave today
Just exactly where we’re going, I cannot say
We might even leave the U.S.A.
‘Cause I gotta a brand new game I wanna play
Come on Walter now
No use of you running
Or screaming and crying
‘Cause you’ve got a home
As long as I’ve got mine
Oh, you know you do
Anabasis?
Accurate! alternative version: rising to power from the dead.
LOVE this tune. I only knew the Canned Heat take until today. Funny, but when someone is down, I might start to stomp my foot hard, and sing it. As I am not a singer, my passionate rendition always makes the person smile, if not laugh out loud.
I’m totally digging these posts where you present the original, and a cover from later on. Your music history lessons are so fab!
Thank you Resa! and ain’t that a pity this song is credited to [Canned Heat’s] Alan Wilson instead of his composer?
OMG! Yes, it is a pity! So many stolen songs, so little time to call the plagiarists out!
I love the ragged sound of the instrument in the original (recorder? penny whistle?) the Canned Heat recorder sound is too smooth in comparison. But still a great song, original or 60s version!
I too love them both, although I never loved the fact that the song is credited to Alan Wilson…
Thank you for sharing!