Walkin' Down The Line
Arlo Guthrie & Pete Seeger Lyrics
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They leased the convicts out
Set them workin' in the mine
Against free labor stout
Free labor rebelled against it
To win it took some time
But when the lease was in effect
It made 'em rise an' shine
Buddy won't you roll down the line
Buddy won't you roll down the line
Yonder come my darlin'
Comin' down the line
Buddy won't you roll down the line
Buddy won't you roll down the line
Yonder come my darlin'
Comin' down the line early Monday mornin'
They get 'em up on time
Send you down the lone rock
Jus' to look into that mine
Send you down the lone rock
Jus' to look into that hole
Very next thing the captain says
"You better get your coal"
The beans they are half done
The bread is not so well
The meat it is all burned up
And the coffee's black as heck
But when you get your task done
An' on the floor you fall
Anything you get to eat
Will taste good done all wrong
The bank boss he's a hard man
A man you all know well
An' if you don't get your tasks done
He's gonna give you hallelujah
When you get your tasks done
An' on the floor you fall
Very next thing the captain says
"You better get your coal"
The lyrics of "Walkin' Down The Line" by Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seeger explore the theme of labor exploitation and resistance. The song begins by referencing a historical event in Tennessee where convicts were leased out to work in mines, while free labor rebelled against this practice. The lease system, although taking some time to overcome, eventually awakened and energized the workers. The repetition of "Buddy won't you roll down the line" suggests a call for solidarity and a reminder of the ongoing struggle.
The second verse describes the harsh conditions faced by the workers. They are forced to wake up early and sent down into the mine to fulfill their tasks. The captain, or overseer, demands that they work diligently in order to extract coal. The lyrics illustrate the dismal quality of the food provided to the workers, with beans half done, poorly cooked bread and meat, and black coffee. However, despite the unfavorable circumstances, the workers find solace in the satisfaction of completing their tasks. The line "Anything you get to eat will taste good done all wrong" implies that even the simplest meal becomes enjoyable when earned through hard work and perseverance.
The final verse introduces the figure of the bank boss, portrayed as a hard and ruthless individual. He threatens the workers with punishment if they fail to complete their tasks. This image serves to emphasize the power dynamics and the oppressive nature of the labor system. The repetition of "You better get your coal" by the captain reinforces the urgency and the pressure placed upon the workers to meet the demands of their superiors.
Overall, "Walkin' Down The Line" functions as a commentary on the struggles faced by laborers, particularly the exploitation and dehumanization they endured. It highlights the importance of unity and persistence in the face of oppressive systems.
Line by Line Meaning
Way back yonder in Tennessee
In the past, in a distant place called Tennessee
They leased the convicts out
They rented out the prisoners
Set them workin' in the mine
Made them labor in the mine
Against free labor stout
In opposition to unpaid work
Free labor rebelled against it
The workers resisted the system
To win it took some time
It required effort and perseverance to achieve victory
But when the lease was in effect
Once the rental agreement was active
It made 'em rise an' shine
It motivated them to wake up and work
Buddy won't you roll down the line
Friend, will you continue forward
Yonder come my darlin'
My beloved is approaching
Comin' down the line
Moving closer towards us
Early Monday mornin'
During the early hours of Monday
They get 'em up on time
They wake them up promptly
Send you down the lone rock
They send you down to the mine
Jus' to look into that mine
Simply to inspect the mine
Send you down the lone rock
They send you down to the mine
Jus' to look into that hole
Only to examine that pit
Very next thing the captain says
Immediately after, the captain declares
"You better get your coal"
"You must retrieve the coal"
The beans they are half done
The beans are partially cooked
The bread is not so well
The bread is not in good condition
The meat it is all burned up
The meat is completely charred
And the coffee's black as heck
Additionally, the coffee is extremely dark
But when you get your task done
However, once you complete your duty
An' on the floor you fall
And you collapse to the ground
Anything you get to eat
Whatever you have to eat
Will taste good done all wrong
Will still be enjoyable despite being prepared incorrectly
The bank boss he's a hard man
The boss from the bank is a strict individual
A man you all know well
A person familiar to everyone
An' if you don't get your tasks done
And if you fail to complete your responsibilities
He's gonna give you hallelujah
He will punish you severely
When you get your tasks done
Once you finish your assignments
An' on the floor you fall
And you collapse to the ground
Very next thing the captain says
Immediately after, the captain declares
"You better get your coal"
"You must retrieve the coal"
Lyrics © Roy Orbison Music Company, Barbara Orbison Music Company, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Roy Orbison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Steve Thomas
Arlo Guthrie is a great performer, I am surprised by this, it's great
Alan Berg
One of life's great lessons is that Arlo is among the greatest of his time.
Flying Dutchman
one good song from the woodstock 69 festival love it since i heart it the first time
Sharon Lovegrove
I have a cassette copy of the Earl of Old Town recorded off the radio when Steve Goodman, ? Arlo Guthrie, Hoyt Axton, possibly Bonnie Koloc. There’s a bunch of folks on it from a tape my brother did from a performance in the 1970’s. We’ve only listened to it ourselves along with buying the cassettes & cd’s of their songs. These are classics! If anyone knows how I can send this somewhere to be preserved I’d be grateful. I need the $ but that’s not what this is about. I love this music & want to preserve it the way it should be preserved. It has a copy of “Goodnight Irene” with Arlo, Steve, Hoyt, ?
It’s a treasure & I know that it wasn’t originally recorded. I just want others to appreciate it.
B Johnson
Thanks for posting this!
Dominik19Z
So damn hard to learn, man :O ! I wonder how he could make it while being stooooned at Woodstock :P !
Lesley Storey
He wasn't stoned he had taken a xanex with his juice
a.m. Bennett
a great lp if u can find it
Mary Briggs
I have multiple copies....get in touch with me
Wolfgang Ulrich
kenn ihn war nur aus _Alice´s Restaurant(mein Highlight) und was für mich noch wichtiger ist,mein grossvater war damals in bethel dabei.mittlerweile leb ích hier in österreich.