The Band. The Band.




1. Across the great divide.

Standing by your window in pain, a pistol in your hand, and I beg you dear Molly, girl, try to understand your man the best you can. Across the great divide just grab your hat and take that ride, get yourself a bride and bring your children down to the riverside.

I had a goal in my younger days, I nearly wrote my will, but I changed my mind for the better, I'm at the still, had my fill and I'm fit to kill. Across the great divide just grab your hat and take that ride, get yourself a bride and bring your children down to the riverside.

Pinball machine and a queen, I nearly took a bust, I tried to keep my hands to myself, you say it's a must but who can you trust? Harvest moon shining down from the sky, a weary sign for all, I'm gonna leave this one horse town, had to stall 'til the fall, now I'm gonna crawl across the great divide.

Now Molly dear don't you shed a tear, your time will surely come, you'll feed your man chicken every Sunday, now tell me honey, what you done with the gun? Across the great divide just grab your hat and take that ride, get yourself a bride and bring your children down to the riverside.


2. Rag mama rag.

Rag mama, rag, I can't believe it’s true, rag mama, rag, what did you do? I go on up to the railroad track, let the 4:19 scratch my back. Sag mama, sag, what's come over you? Rag mama, rag, I'm pulling out your gag. Gonna turn you loose like an old caboose, got a tail I need to drag.

I ask about your turtle and you ask about the weather, I can't jump the hurdle and we can't get together, we could be relaxin' in my sleepin' bag, but all you want to do for me, mama, is, rag Mama, rag, there's nowhere to go, rag mama rag, come on, resin up the bow.

Rag mama, rag, where do you run? Rag mama, rag, bring your skinny little body back home. It's dog eat dog, cat eat mouse, you can rag Mama, rag, all over my house.

Hail stones beating on the roof, the bourbon is hundred proof, it's you and me, and the telephone, our destiny is quite well known, we don't need to sit and brag, all we gotta do is rag mama, rag mama, rag. Rag mama, rag, where do you roam? Rag mama, rag, bring your skinny little body back home.


3. The night they drove old Dixie down.

Virgil Caine is the name and I served on the Danville train, till Stoneman's cavalry came and tore up the tracks again. In the winter of sixty five we were hungry, just barely alive, by May the tenth Richmond had fell, it's a time I remember, oh, so well.

The night they drove old Dixie down and the bells were ringing, the night they drove old Dixie down and the people were singing, they went, la, la…

Back with my wife in Tennessee when one day she called to me, Virgil, quick, come, see, there goes Robert E. Lee. Now I don't mind chopping wood and I don't care if the money's no good, you take what you need and you leave the rest, but they should never have taken the very best.

The night they drove old Dixie down and the bells were ringing, the night they drove old Dixie down and the people were singing, they went, la, la…

Like my father before me, I will work the land, like my brother above me who took a rebel stand, he was just eighteen, proud and brave, but a yankee laid him in his grave, I swear by the mud below my feet, you can't raise a Caine back up when he's in defeat.

The night they drove old Dixie down and the bells were ringing, the night they drove old Dixie down and the people were singing, they went, la, la… The night they drove old Dixie down and the bells were ringing, the night they drove old Dixie down and the people were singing, they went, la, la…


4. When you awake.

Ollie told me I'm a fool, so I walked on down the road a mile, went to the house that brings a smile, sat upon my grandpa's knee, and what do you think he said to me? When you awake you will remember everything, you will be hanging on a string from your, when you believe, you will relieve the only soul, that you were born with to grow old and never know.

Ollie showed me the fork in the road, you can take to the left or go straight to the right, use your days and save your nights, be careful where you step, and watch what you eat, sleep with the light on and you got it beat. When you awake you will remember everything, you will be hanging on a string from your, when you believe, you will relieve the only soul, that you were born with to grow old and never know.

Ollie warned me, it's a mean old world, the street don't greet you, yes, it's true, but what am I supposed to do. Read the writing on the wall, I heard it when I was very small. When you awake you will remember everything, you will be hanging on a string from your, when you believe, you will relieve the only soul, that you were born with to grow old and never know.

Wash my hand in lye water, I got a date with the captains daughter, you can go and tell your brother, we sure gonna love one another. You may be right and you might be wrong, I ain't gonna worry all day long, snow's gonna come and the frost gonna bite, my old car froze up last night, ain't no reason to hang my head, I could wake up in the morning dead. And if I thought it would do any good, I'd stand on the rock where Moses stood.


5. Up on Cripple Creek.

When I get off of this mountain, you know where I want to go? Straight down the Mississippi river to the Gulf of Mexico, to Lake Charles, Louisiana, little Bessie, girl that I once knew, she told me just to come on by if there's anything she could do. Up on Cripple Creek she sends me, if I spring a leak she mends me, I don't have to speak, she defends me, a drunkard's dream if I ever did see one.

Good luck had just stung me, to the race track I did go, she bet on one horse to win and I bet on another to show, the odds were in my favor, I had them five to one, when that nag to win came around the track, sure enough she had won. Up on Cripple Creek she sends me, if I spring a leak she mends me, I don't have to speak, she defends me, a drunkard's dream if I ever did see one.

I took up all of my winnings and I gave my little Bessie half, and she tore it up and threw it in my face, just for a laugh, now there's one thing in the whole wide world I sure would like to see, that's when that little love of mine, dips her doughnut in my tea. Up on Cripple Creek she sends me, if I spring a leak she mends me, I don't have to speak, she defends me, a drunkard's dream if I ever did see one.

Now me and my mate were back at the shack, we had Spike Jones on the box, she said, I can't take the way he sings but I love to hear him talk, now that just gave my heart a throb, to the bottom of my feet, and I swore and I took another pull, my Bessie can't be beat. Up on Cripple Creek she sends me, if I spring a leak she mends me, I don't have to speak, she defends me, a drunkard's dream if I ever did see one.

As there's a flood out in California and up north it's freezing cold, and this living on the road is getting pretty old, so I guess I'll call up my big mama, tell her I'll be rolling in, but you know, deep down, I'm kind of tempted to go and see my Bessie again. Up on Cripple Creek she sends me, if I spring a leak she mends me, I don't have to speak, she defends me, a drunkard's dream if I ever did see one.


6. Wispering pines.

If you find me in a gloom or catch me in a dream, inside my lonely room there is no in between, whispering pines, rising of the tide, if only one star shines, that's just enough to get inside. I will wait until it all goes 'round, with you in sight, the lost are found.

Foghorn through the night, calling out to sea, protect my only light 'cause she once belonged to me, let the waves rush in, let the seagulls cry, for if I live again, these hopes will never die. I can feel you standing there but I don’t see you anywhere.

Standing by the well, wishing for the rains, reaching to the clouds, for nothing else remains, drifting in a daze when evening will be done, try looking through a haze at an empty house, in the cold, cold sun. I will wait until it all goes ‘round, with you in sight, the lost are found.


7. Jemima surrender.

Jemima surrender, I'm gonna give it to you, ain't no pretender, gonna ride in my canoe. If I were a barker in a girly show, tell you what I'd do, I'd lock the door, tear my shirt and let my river flow. Oh, sweet Jemima, wont'cha come out tonight? The ground is so warm and the moon is so bright.

Jemima surrender, that’s all you have to do, I'll bring over my Fender and I'll play all night for you. There's a bird on my head and his mouth won't talk, you know he laughs just like a goose but looks like a hawk, Jemima, you know what I'm try'n to say, meet me in front and we'll fly away.

You can change your name, you can find a new walk, you can change a lock, its all the same, you don't have to give out if you'll only give in, you can jump and shout but can't you see girl, that I'm bound to win.

Jemima surrender, I'm gonna give it to you, ain't no pretender, gonna see my tattoo. I hand you my rod and you hand me that line, that's what you do, now, we ain't doing much fishing or drinking any wine. Sweet Jemima, if I were king, I'd fix you up with a diamond ring.


8. Rockin' chair.

Hang around, Willie Boy, don't you raise the sails anymore, it's for sure, I've spent my whole life at sea and I'm pushing age seventy-three, now, there's only one place that is meant for me. Oh, to be home again down in old Virginny, with my very best friend, they call him Ragtime Willie, we’re gonna soothe away the rest of our years, we're gonna put away all of our tears, that big rockin' chair 'wont' go nowhere.

Slow down, Willie Boy, your heart's gonna give right out on you, it's true, and I believe I know what we should do, turn the stern and point to shore, the seven seas won't carry us no more. Oh, to be home again down in old Virginny, with my very best friend, they call him Ragtime Willie, I can't wait to sniff that air, dip'n snuff, I won't have no care, that big rockin' chair won't go nowhere.

Hear the sound, Willie Boy, the flyin' Dutchman's on the reef, it's my belief we've used up all our time, this hill's to steep to climb, and the days that remain ain't worth a dime. Oh, to be home again down in old Virginny, with my very best friend, they call him Ragtime Willie, would-a-been nice just t'see the folks, listen once again to the stale jokes, that big rockin' chair won't go nowhere.

I can hear something calling on me and you know where I want to be, oh, Willie don't you hear that sound, oh, to be home again down in old Virginny, I just want to get my feet back on the ground, oh, to be home again down in old Virginny, I'd love to see my very best friend, they call him Ragtime Willie, I believe old rockin chair's got me.


9. Look out Cleveland.

Look out, Cleveland, the storm is comin' through, and it's runnin' right up on you, look out, Houston, there'll be thunder on the hill, bye bye, baby, don't cha lie so still.

Was Wednesday evenin' when first we heard the word, it did not come by train nor bird, it was when Ben Pike stepped down to say, this old town's gonna blow away.

Look out, Cleveland, the storm is comin' through, and it's runnin' right up on you, look out, Houston, there'll be thunder on the hill, bye bye, baby, don't cha lie so still.

Chain lightning, fighting as it may seem, must not be mistaken for just another dream, justice of peace don't know his own fate, but he'll go down in the shelter late.

Look out, Cleveland, the storm is comin' through, and it's runnin' right up on you, look out, Houston, there'll be thunder on the hill, bye bye, baby, don't cha lie so still.

Hiding your money won't do no good, build a big wall, you know you would if you could, yeah, when clouds of warnin' come into view, it'll get the old woman right outta her shoe.

Look out, Cleveland, the storm is comin' through, and it's runnin' right up on you, look out, Houston, there'll be thunder on the hill, bye bye, baby, don't cha lie so still.


10. Jawbone.

Oh, Jawbone, when did you first go wrong? Oh, Jawbone, where is it you belong? Three time looser, you'll never learn, lay down your tools before you burn, you keep on runnin' and hidin' your face, spreading your heat all over the place. I'm a thief and I dig it, I'm up on a beef, I'm gonna rig it, I'm a thief and I dig it.

Oh, Jawbone, why don't you sit and moan? Oh, Jawbone, you know that it's stone for stone. Sneak through the night upon your toes, to look in your eye, it never shows, your name upon the post office wall, put you on edge 'cause they wrote it too small. . I'm a thief and I dig it, I'm up on a beef, I'm gonna rig it, I'm a thief and I dig it.

Oh, Jawbone, revenge stays on your mind, oh, Jawbone, you been doin' too much time. Pull off a job with an inside man who needs the cash and likes your plan, then you will know just who to thank, when you land right back in the tank. . I'm a thief and I dig it, I'm up on a beef, I'm gonna rig it, I'm a thief and I dig it.

Oh, Jawbone, why dont'cha go home? Oh, Jawbone, where is it you belong? Boostin' and goin' out on the lam, you know that you'll steal anything that you can, temptation stands just behind the door, so what you wanna go and open it for? I'm a thief and I dig it, I'm up on a beef, I'm gonna rig it, I'm a thief and I dig it.


11. The unfaithful servant.

Unfaithful servant, I hear you leaving soon in the morning, what did you do to the lady, that she's gonna have to send you away? Unfaithful servant, you don't have to say you're sorry, if you done it just for the spite or did you do it just for the glory?

Like a stranger you turned your back, left your keys and gone to pack, bear in mind who's to blame, and all the shame, she really cared, the time she spared and the home you shared.

Unfaithful servant, I can hear the whistle blowing, yes, that train is a-comin' and soon you'll be going, let us not bow our heads for we won't be complaining, life has been good to us all, even when that sky is raining.

To take it like a grain of salt is all I can do, it's no one's fault, makes no difference if we fade away, it's just as it was, it's much too cold for me to stay, goodbye to that country home, so long to a lady I have known, farewell to my other side, I'd best just take it in stride.

Unfaithful servant, you'll learn to find your place, I can see it in your smile, and, yes, I can see it in your face, the memories will linger on but the good old days, they're all gone, oh, lonesome servant, can't you see that we're still one and the same, just you and me.


12. King Harvest (has surely come).

Corn in the fields, listen to the rice when the wind blows 'cross the water, King Harvest has surely come. I work for the union 'cause she's so good to me, and I'm bound to come out on top, that's where I should be.

I will hear every word the boss may say, for he's the one who hands me down my pay, looks like this time I'm gonna get to stay, I'm a union man, now, all the way.

The smell of the leaves from the magnolia trees in the meadow, King Harvest has surely come. Dry summer, then comes fall, which I depend on most of all, hey, rainmaker, can't you hear my call? Please let these crops grow tall.

Long enough I've been up on Skid Row and it's plain to see, I've nothing to show, I'm glad to pay those union dues, just don't judge me by my shoes.

Scarecrow and a yellow moon, and pretty soon a carnival on the edge of town, King Harvest has surely come. Last year, this time, wasn't no joke, my whole barn went up in smoke, my horse Jethro, well he went mad, and I can't remember things being so bad.

Then there comes a man with a paper and a pen, telling us our hard times are about to end, and then, if they don't give us what we like, he said, men, that's when you gotta go on strike.

Corn in the fields, listen to the rice when the wind blows 'cross the water, King Harvest has surely come.


· · ·
Año: 1969.
Procedencia de la banda: Toronto (Ontario), Canadá.
· · ·

Music from the Big Pink. The Band.





1. Tears of rage.


We carried you in our arms on Independence Day, but now you'd throw us all aside and put us all away. What dear daughter 'neath the sun could love a father so, to wait upon him hand and foot and always tell him no? Tears of rage, tears of grief, why must I always be the thief? Come to me now, you know we're so low and life is brief.

It was all so very painless for you to run and receive all of that false instruction we never could believe. And now the heart is filled with gold as if it was a purse, oh, but what kind of love is this that goes from bad to worse? Tears of rage, tears of grief, why must I always be the thief? Come to me now, you know we're so low and life is brief.

We pointed you the way to go and scratched your name in sand, but you thought it was nothing more than a place for you to stand. I want you to know that while we watched, you discovered no one would be true, and I myself was among the ones who thought it was just a childish thing to do. Tears of rage, tears of grief, why must I always be the thief? Come to me now, you know we're so low and life is brief.


2. To kingdom come.


Forefather pointed to kingdom come, dadly told his only son. Just be careful what you do, "Robbie Lick", it all comes back on you. False witness spread the news, somebody's gonna lose. Either she or me or you, nothing we can do. Don't you say a word or reveal a thing you've learned. Time will tell you well if you truly, truly fell.

Tarred and feathered, yea! Thistles and thorns, one or the other, he kindly warns. Now you look out the window tell me, what do you see? I see a golden calf pointing back at me. I been sitting in here for so darn long waitin' for the end to come along. Holy roaster on the brink, take a chance, swim or sink.

False witness, cast an evil eye, said I cannot tell a lie, haints and saints don't bother me. I'm not alone you see. Don't you say a word or reveal a thing you've learned. Time will tell you well if you truly, truly fell.


3. In a station.


Once I walked through the halls of a station. Someone called your name, in the streets I heard children laughing, they all sound the same. Wonder could you ever know me, know the reason why I live? Is there nothing you can show me, life seems so little to give.

Once I climbed up the face of a mountain and ate the wild fruit there. Fell asleep until the moonlight woke me and I could taste your hair. Isn't everybody dreaming? Then the voice I hear is real. Out of all the idle scheming, aan't we have something to feel?

Once upon a time they used me indeed, tomorrow never comes. I could sing the sound of your laughter, still I don't know your name. Must be some way to repay you, out of all the good you gave. If a rumour should delay you, love seems so little to say.


4. Caledonia mission.

She reads the leaves and she leads the life. That she learned so well from the old wives, it's so strange to arrange it, you know I wouldn't change it. But hear me if you're near me, can I just rearrange it? The watchman covers me with his remedy, I can't see and it's hard to feel. I think his magic might be real. I can't get to you from your garden gate, you know it's always locked by the magistrate. Now he don't care why you cry, he thinks it's just a lie to get out, I don't doubt that you'd make a try.

If the good times get you through I know the dogs won't bother you. We'll be gone in moonshine time, I've got a place they'll never find. You know I do believe in your hexagram but can you tell me how they all knew the plan? Did you trip or slip on their gifts you know were just a con? You knew it, why d'you do it, I've been hiding in the dawn. Now I must be on my way, I guess you really have to stay. Inside the mission walls, down in Modark, Arkansas.


5. The weight.

I pulled in to Nazareth, was feeling 'bout half past dead. I just need some place where I can lay my head. “Hey mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?”. He just grinned and shook my hand, “No” was all he said. Take a load off, Fanny, take a load for free. Take a load off, Fanny, and you put the load right on me.

I picked up my bag, I went looking for a place to hide when I saw Carmen and the Devil walking side by side. I said “Hey Carmen, come on, let's go downtown”, she said “I gotta go but my friend can stick around”. Take a load off, Fanny, and you put the load right on me.

Go down Miss Moses, there's nothing you can say, it's just old Luke, and Luke's waiting on the judgement day. “Well, Luke my friend, what about young Anna-Lee?”, he said “Do me a favour son, won't you stay and keep Anna-Lee company?”. Take a load off, Fanny, and you put the load right on me.

Crazy Chester followed me and he caught me in the fog. He said “I will fix your rat if you'll take Jack my dog”. I said “Wait a minute Chester, you know I'm a peaceful man”. He said “That's okay boy, won't you feed him when you can?”. Take a load off, Fanny, and you put the load right on me.

Catch a cannonball now to take me down the line, my bag is sinking low and I do believe it's time to get back to Miss Fanny, you know she's the only one who sent me here with her regards for everyone. Take a load off, Fanny, and you put the load right on me.


6. We can talk.

We can talk about it now, it's that same old riddle only starting from the middle. I'd fix it but I don't know how, well, we could try to reason but you might think it's treason. One voice for all echoing along the hall. Don't give up on father clock, we can talk about it now. Come, let me show you how, to keep the wheels turning you've got to keep the engines churning. But did you ever milk a cow? I had the chance one day but I was all dressed up for Sunday.

Everybody, everywhere, do you really care? Well then, pick up your heads and walk; we can talk about it now. It seems to me we've been holding something underneath our tongues, I'm afraid if you ever got a pat on the back it would likely burst your lungs. Stop me if I should sound kinda down in the mouth, but I'd rather be burned in Canada than to freeze here in the south.

Pulling that eternal plough, we've got to find a sharper blade or have a new one made. Rest awhile and cool your brow, don't you see there's no need to slave, the whip is in the grave. No salt, no trance, it's safe now to take a backward glance because the leaves have turned to chalk. We can talk about it now, we can talk about it now.


7. Long black veil.


Ten years ago on a cool dark night there was someone killed 'neath the town hall light. There were few at the scene and they all did agree that the man who ran looked a lot like me. The judge said “Son, what is your alibi? If you were somewhere else then you won't have to die”. I spoke not a word although it meant my life, I had been in the arms of my best friend's wife. She walks these hills in a long black veil, she visits my grave where the night winds wail. Nobody knows, no, and nobody sees, nobody knows but me.

The sky froze high and eternity neared. She stood in the crowd and shed not a tear, but sometimes at night when the cold wind moans, in a long black veil she cries over my bones.


8. Chest fever.

I know she's a tracker, any scarlett would back her. They say she's a chooser, ooh, but I just can't refuse her, she was just there, but then she can't be here no more. And as my mind unweaves, I feel the freeze down in my knees. But just before she leaves, she receives.

She's been down in the dunes and she's dealt with the goons. Now she drinks from a bitter cup tryin' to get her to give it up. She was just here, I fear, she can't be here no more. And as my mind unweaves, I feel the freeze down in my knees. But just before she leaves, she receives.

It's a long, long when she's gone. I get weary holding on. Now I'm coldly, fading fast, I don't think I'm gonna last very much longer. “She's stoned”" said the Swede, and the moon calf agreed. I'm like a viper in shock, with my eyes in the clock. She was just there, somewhere, and here I am again. And as my mind unweaves, I feel the freeze down in my knees. But just before she leaves, she receives.


9. Lonesome Suzie.


Lonesome Suzie never got the breaks. She's always losing and so she sits and cries and shakes, it's hard just to watch her and if I touch her. Oh, poor Suzie, I'm wondering what to do. She just sits there hoping for a friend, I don't fit here but I may have a friend to lend. Maybe I mistook her but I can't overlook her. Must be someone who can pull her through.

Anyone who's felt that bad could tell me what to say, even if she just got mad she might be better off that way. And where is all the understanding? Her problems can't be that demanding, why is it she looks my way every time she starts to cry.

Lonesome Suzie, I can't watch you cry no longer, if you can use me until you feel a little stronger. I guess just watching you has made me lonesome too, why don't we get together, what else can we do?


10. This wheel’s on fire.


If your memory serves you well, we're going to meet again and wait, so I'm going to unpack all my things and sit before it gets too late. No matter what, we'll come to you with another tale to tell and you know that we shall meet again if your memory serves you well. Wheels on fire, rolling down the road, just notify my next of kin, this wheel shall explode.

If your memory serves you well, I was going to confiscate your lace and wrap it up in a sailor's knot and hide it in your case. If I knew for sure that it was yours, and it was oh so hard to tell and you know that we shall meet again if your memory serves you well.

If your memory serves you well, you'll remember that you're the one who called on them, to call on me, to get you your favours done. And after every plan had failed and there was nothing more to tell, and you know that we shall meet again, if your memory serves you well.


11. I shall be released.


They say everything can be replaced, they say every distance is not near. So I remember every face of every man who put me here. I see my light come shining, from the west down to the east, any day now, any day now, I shall be released.

They say every man needs protection, they say that every man must fall. Yet I swear I see my reflection, somewhere so high above this wall. Now yonder stands a man in this lonely crowd, a man who swears he's not to blame. All day long I hear him shouting so loud, just crying out that he was framed.


· · ·
Año: 1968.
Procedencia de la banda: Toronto (Ontario), Canadá.
· · ·