Last Fair Deal Gone Down
Eric Clapton 2004 / Me & Mr. Johnson Lyrics
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Last fair deal goin' down
It's the last fair deal goin' down, good Lord
On that Gulfport Island Road
Please, Ida Belle, don't cry this time
Ida Belle, don't cry this time
If you cry about a nickel, you'll die 'bout a dime
I love the way you do
I love the way you do
I love the way you do, good Lord
On this Gulfport Island Road
My captain's so mean on me
My captain's so mean on me
My captain's so mean on me, good Lord
On this Gulfport Island Road
Take camp' 'tain he and see, camp' ain't he and see
At scal' ain't be at seen, good Lord
On that Gulfport Island Road
Ah, this last fair deal goin' down
It's the last fair deal goin' down
This' the last fair deal goin' down, good Lord
On this Gulfport Island Road
I'm workin' my way back home
I'm working my way back home
I'm workin' my way back home, good Lord
On this Gulfport Island Road
And that thing don't keep-a ringin' so soon
That thing don't keep-a ringin' so soon
And that thing don't keep-a ringin' so soon, good Lord
On that Gulf-and-Port Island Road
In "Last Fair Deal Gone Down," Eric Clapton pays tribute to the influential delta blues musician Robert Johnson, who died in 1938 at the age of 27. The song is a cover of one of Johnson's tracks and includes the distinctive blues guitar licks that Clapton has become known for. Clapton's interpretation of the song speaks to the feelings of desperation and hopelessness that are often prevalent in the blues genre.
The first verse describes a scene on Gulfport Island Road, which was located in Mississippi, Robert Johnson's home state. It's the last fair deal going down, which refers to a transaction that is taking place, likely involving a commodity such as cotton or tobacco. The singer pleads with Ida Belle, likely a lover or friend, not to cry about the money. The second verse speaks to the singer's admiration for Ida Belle and how they love the way she does whatever she is doing on that road. The third verse describes the singer's experience with a cruel captain, possibly a reference to a white plantation owner or overseer.
The following verse is difficult to interpret as it appears to be gibberish or a coded message, possibly referring to some sort of illegal or illicit activity. The last verse speaks to the singer's desire to return home, and the last line refers to a ringing bell or alarm that is signaling the end of the workday, possibly signaling that there is still hope for the future.
Line by Line Meaning
It's the last fair deal goin' down
This is the final opportunity for a fair deal to be made.
Last fair deal goin' down
This is the last chance for a fair deal.
It's the last fair deal goin' down, good Lord
This is the final opportunity for a fair deal to be made, with some spiritual emphasis.
On that Gulfport Island Road
The location where the fair deal is happening.
Please, Ida Belle, don't cry this time
Don't cry over the small things, because it can lead to bigger problems.
Ida Belle, don't cry this time
Don't react emotionally to the situation.
If you cry about a nickel, you'll die 'bout a dime
If you overreact to small problems, it will make you vulnerable to bigger ones.
She wouldn't cry, but the money won't mind
Even if she doesn't show emotions, it won't affect the result of the deal.
I love the way you do
I appreciate your approach to the situation.
I love the way you do, good Lord
I deeply appreciate your approach with a spiritual emphasis.
My captain's so mean on me
The person in charge is being unreasonably harsh.
My captain's so mean on me, good Lord
The person in charge is being unreasonably harsh, with a spiritual emphasis.
Take camp' 'tain he and see, camp' ain't he and see
Unknown, unclear line.
At scal' ain't be at seen, good Lord
Unknown, unclear line with a spiritual emphasis.
Ah, this last fair deal goin' down
This is the final opportunity for a fair deal to be made.
It's the last fair deal goin' down
This is the final opportunity for a fair deal to be made.
This' the last fair deal goin' down, good Lord
This is the final opportunity for a fair deal to be made, with a spiritual emphasis.
On this Gulfport Island Road
The location where the fair deal is happening.
I'm workin' my way back home
I'm on the journey back home and working hard to make it happen.
I'm working my way back home
I'm in the process of returning home and putting in effort to make it happen.
I'm workin' my way back home, good Lord
I'm in the process of returning home and putting in effort to make it happen, with a spiritual emphasis.
On this Gulfport Island Road
The location where the journey home is taking place.
And that thing don't keep-a ringin' so soon
This thing won't last forever and will soon be over.
And that thing don't keep-a ringin' so soon, good Lord
This thing won't last forever and will soon be over, with a spiritual emphasis.
On that Gulf-and-Port Island Road
The location where the thing that won't last forever is happening.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: ROBERT JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind