Midnight Special
Big Bill Broonzy Lyrics


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One day, one day, Sir
I was walking along
I heard that special
Singing a lonesome song

[Chorus]
Oh, let the Midnight Special
Shine her light on me
Let the Midnight Special
Shine her ever lovin light on me

If you ever go to Houston
You know you better walk right
You know you better not stagger
You know you better not fight
Because the sheriff will just arrest you
You know he'll carry you down
And you can bet your bottom dollar
Oh Lord, you're penitentiary bound

[Chorus]
Yonder come little Rosie
How in the world do you know?
I can tell her by her apron
And the dress she wore
Umbrella on her shoulder
Piece of paper in her hand
Goes a marchin to the Captain
Says I want my man

[Chorus]
Now here comes jumpin' Judy
I'll tell you how I know
You know, Judy brought jumpin'
To the whole wide world
She brought it in the morning
Just about the break of day
You know, if I ever get to jumpin'
Oh Lord, I'll up and jump away.





[Chorus: x 2]

Overall Meaning

The song "Midnight Special" by Big Bill Broonzy centers around a prison train called the Midnight Special, which takes inmates to jail. The song describes how the prisoners wait for the train's light to shine as a sign of hope and freedom. In the first verse, the singer recounts hearing the Midnight Special's powerful whistle while walking down the road. The following chorus repeats the famous line, "Let the Midnight Special shine her light on me" and highlights the prisoners' desperate plea for hope.


The song's second verse warns listeners about going to Houston as the sheriff there will arrest anyone who disturbs the peace. The singer advises listeners not to fight or stagger because, in Houston, the sheriff will take them straight to jail. The singer then emphasizes that if you go to prison in Houston, you're "penitentiary bound."


In the final verse, the singer observes two people, Little Rosie and Jumpin' Judy, who are trying to communicate with each other. Little Rosie gives a piece of paper to the captain, asking for her man's release, and Jumpin' Judy is introduced as the woman who brought jumping to the world. The singer notes that, if he ever gets the chance to jump, he'll "up and jump away."


Line by Line Meaning

One day, one day, Sir
Once upon a time, as I was walking


I was walking along
I was taking a leisurely walk


I heard that special
I heard a particular sound


Singing a lonesome song
The sound was a solitary voice singing a sad tune


Oh, let the Midnight Special
I hope the Midnight train arrives


Shine her light on me
I want to be on that train


Let the Midnight Special
May the train come soon


Shine her ever lovin light on me
So that I can depart from this place


If you ever go to Houston
If you plan on visiting Houston


You know you better walk right
Behave well and follow the rules


You know you better not stagger
Don't walk around intoxicated


You know you better not fight
Avoid violence and confrontation


Because the sheriff will just arrest you
If you break the law, you'll be punished


You know he'll carry you down
He will take you to jail


And you can bet your bottom dollar
This is a certainty


Oh Lord, you're penitentiary bound
You'll end up in prison


Yonder come little Rosie
There goes Rosie


How in the world do you know?
How can you tell?


I can tell her by her apron
I recognize her outfit


And the dress she wore
And her clothing


Umbrella on her shoulder
She's carrying an umbrella


Piece of paper in her hand
She's holding a document


Goes a marchin to the Captain
She's on her way to see the boss


Says I want my man
She's demanding the release of her partner


Now here comes jumpin' Judy
Here comes Judy who likes to dance


I'll tell you how I know
Let me explain


You know, Judy brought jumpin'
Judy invented the dance style of jumping


To the whole wide world
And now it's known worldwide


She brought it in the morning
She introduced it early in the day


Just about the break of day
Right before dawn


You know, if I ever get to jumpin'
And if I learn how to jump


Oh Lord, I'll up and jump away.
I'll dance enthusiastically and joyfully


Chorus
Refrain


Chorus
Refrain




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: . TRADITIONAL, ALVIN LEE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Sylvie VERMENOT

what a lucky boy you was knew big bill....

for me is THE BLUES my favor singer before many orhers
his voice so warm.... his kind of play guitar so perfect ....

when i listening big bill i have tears in my eyes ....

best regards from NORMANDY FRANCE


PATRICK



All comments from YouTube:

Steve Tessier

Big Bill Broonzy , was my foundation in blues. He was a close friend of my family. As a boy his guitar and voice was my lulliby. Big Bill was truly a giant in blues music. Long may he be remembered, by discerning people. Long live his musicality, his legacy to the world....!!!

Sylvie VERMENOT

what a lucky boy you was knew big bill....

for me is THE BLUES my favor singer before many orhers
his voice so warm.... his kind of play guitar so perfect ....

when i listening big bill i have tears in my eyes ....

best regards from NORMANDY FRANCE


PATRICK

Christof Ermer

I heard him at first by John Pears Guitar Workshop in German TV in th 70th years....  i never forget his authentic sound..

Yuri Danylko

Wow this guy is very good.

Freddy

Perfect in its simplicity

Andrzej Świderski

the very, very , very best

Sal Casca

I just read your comment and yes, you're right there isn't such a word in standard German. I'm from Palatine and there we know the word "brunse/brunze" for "urinate", I guess this word also appears in some other region here in the south.

Lil McGill

very cool

Mi Mi

lf song down on ...piano style

DiAL033

hmm, i am german and i don`t know any german word sounding like "broonzy". Maybe in some southern german dialect, but up here in the very north of germany noone would make that association.

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