Cat. #1065 (MFH #263) - As sung by Raymond Sanders, Mountain View, Arkansas on May 12, 1970
VERSE 1
I drove down to Lickburg town
I broke my yoke to th collar of th ground
Drove from there to ole Ike's shop
I hallered at my driver an' told 'em t' stop
Do, Johnny Booker won't you help this nigger
Do, Johnny Booker, do
VERSE 2
Sighed, Mr. Wright can you mend my yoke
He jumped to th bellow an' e' built up a smoke
Sighed, Mr. Wright, no time t' stay
He piked up a hammer an' he banged right away
Do, Johnny Booker won't you help this nigger
Do, Johnny Booker, do
VERSE 3
Sighed, Mr. Wright, do you charge anything
Fer mendin' my yoke an' ring
No, says he, I never charge
Without th work is very large
Do, Johnny Booker won't you help this nigger
Do, Johnny Booker, do
VERSE 4
I drove from there to Andy's mill
There t' pull that little hill
I whipped my steers an' I rolled my cart
An' all I could do an' couldn't start
Do, Johnny Booker won't you help this nigger
Do, Johnny Booker, do
VERSE 5
I whipped my steers an' there I stayed
Till twelve a'clock, way next day
I said t' th driver, this won't do
I must push an' so must you
Do, Johnny Booker won't you help this nigger
Do, Johnny Booker, do
VERSE 6
I set my shoulder again th wheel
An' in th ground I screwed my heel
Then I give a mighty strain
An' all my efforts was in vain
Do, Johnny Booker won't you help this nigger
Do, Johnny Booker, do
VERSE 7
I set down, begin to cry
Team an' th driver, come drivin' by
Said to th driver, o pity take
Won't you help this nigger for your consense sake
Do, Johnny Booker won't you help this nigger
Do, Johnny Booker, do
VERSE 8
Yes, says he, will help thee
Took out his horses one, two, three
Wiped from my eyes, th fallin' tears
An' he hitched two horses, before my steers
Do, Johnny Booker won't you help this nigger
Do, Johnny Booker, do