Milk Cow Blues
Doc Watson & The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Lyrics
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And I looked out the door
I can tell that old milk cow
By the way she lowed
Hold it fellows, that don't move me
Let's get real, real gone for a change
And I looked out the door
I can tell that, that old milk cow
I can tell the way she lowed
Well, if you've seen my milk cow
Please ride her on home
I ain't had no milk or butter
Since that cow's been gone
Well, I tried to treat you right
Day by day
Get out your little prayer book
Get down on your knees and pray
For you're gonna need
You're gonna need
Your loving daddy's help someday
Well, you're gonna be sorry
For treating me this way
Well, believe me, don't that sun
Look good going down?
Well, believe me, don't that sun
Look good going down?
But, don't that old moon look lonesome
When your baby's not around
Well, I tried everything to
Get along with you
I'm gonna tell you what I'm going do
I'm gonna quit my crying
I'm gonna leave you alone
If you don't believe I'm leaving
You can count the days I'm gone
I'm gonna leave
You're gonna need your
Loving daddy's help someday
Well, you're gonna be sorry
You treated me this way
The song "Milk Cow Blues" is a classic country-blues song that was originally written and recorded by Sleepy John Estes in 1930. Doc Watson and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band collaborated in 1972 to put their own spin on the song. The song's story is about a milk cow that has gone missing, causing the singer to be without milk and butter, and asking for help to find it. However, the song is not entirely about a missing cow but is a metaphor for a lost love. The missing cow represents the love the singer once had, but now that it's gone, he's lost all the benefits that came with it.
When the song starts, the singer wakes up and hears a cow lowing, and he recognizes it as his missing milk cow. He urges anyone who's seen it to bring it home. He then goes on to say that he tried to do everything to get along in the relationship, but his partner treated him poorly, causing him to leave. He warns them that they will soon realize how much they lost by treating him that way. In the last verse, the singer reflects how beautiful the sun looks going down, but the moon looks lonesome when his lover is not around.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I woke up this morning
I woke up this morning and started my day.
And I looked out the door
I looked outside the door.
I can tell that old milk cow
I can identify that old milk cow.
By the way she lowed
By the sound she made.
Hold it fellows, that don't move me
Stop right there, that's not interesting to me.
Let's get real, real gone for a change
Let's do something exciting for once.
Well, if you've seen my milk cow
If you have seen my milk cow around.
Please ride her on home
Please guide her back to my place.
I ain't had no milk or butter
I have been missing out on milk and butter.
Since that cow's been gone
Ever since my cow was gone.
Well, I tried to treat you right
I tried to treat you properly.
Day by day
Every single day.
Get out your little prayer book
Use your small book of prayers.
Get down on your knees and pray
Kneel down and pray.
For you're gonna need
Because you will need.
You're gonna need
You will require.
Your loving daddy's help someday
The help of your caring father someday.
Well, you're gonna be sorry
You are going to feel remorseful.
For treating me this way
For treating me incorrectly.
Well, believe me, don't that sun
Trust me, doesn't the sun.
Look good going down?
Appear amazing going down?
But, don't that old moon look lonesome
However, isn't the old moon look lonely.
When your baby's not around
When your lover is not near.
Well, I tried everything to
I attempted everything to.
Get along with you
Commendably get along with you.
I'm gonna tell you what I'm going do
I am going to disclose what I will do.
I'm gonna quit my crying
I am going to stop crying.
I'm gonna leave you alone
I am going to abandon you.
If you don't believe I'm leaving
If you do not trust I am leaving.
You can count the days I'm gone
You can track how many days I am absent.
You're gonna need your
You will require your.
Loving daddy's help someday
The help of your caring father someday.
Well, you're gonna be sorry
You are going to feel remorseful.
You treated me this way
You mistreated me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KOKOMO ARNOLD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Greg Corricello
What a great version. Doc was a national treasure. What a great blues singer - one of the best ever.
Gregory Luce
Oh HELL yes! I didn’t think anyone could match Bob Wills’ version but this comes damn close. The King would approve!
Trevor Morris
Superb, but I expect nothing less from Doc. An incredibly musical man, always great things going on in the background that you really want to listen to. Merle's death was a great tragedy. He was an incredible player too although he didn't have his father's voice.. His son Richard has also become a great guitarist.
Flatcar Rider
Love this rendition.
Eric Newman
The Dirt Band did us all a great favor by bringing together the most talented people in country on this album. People who " just didn't like country' did after listening to this !
Paul Stanger
I have worn out several copies of "Will the Circle" Albums, but this version of "Milk Cow Blues" is a special favorite.
Craig McCauley
Love it!
Edward Martins
I'm surprised that there are hardly any comments. Tis good music Doc Watson.
Pamela Crist
I really like this version of Son House's Milk Cow Blues.
John Cleveland
Doc Watson jamming with The Dirt Band...….Hot licks