John Cowan Hartford (December 30, 1937– June 4, 2001) was an American count… Read Full Bio ↴John Cowan Hartford (December 30, 1937– June 4, 2001) was an American country and bluegrass composer and musician known for his mastery of the fiddle and banjo, as well as for his witty lyrics, unique vocal style, and extensive knowledge of Mississippi River lore. Hartford performed with a variety of ensembles throughout his career, and is perhaps best known for his solo performances where he would interchange the guitar, banjo, and fiddle from song to song. He also invented his own shuffle tap dance move, and clogged on an amplified piece of plywood while he played and sang.
At the time of his death, Hartford was also working on the biography of the blind fiddler Ed Haley. Hartford's album Wild Hog in the Red Bush is a collection of Haley's tunes. Hartford also provided narration for several of Ken Burns' documentaries.
Hartford was given a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame.
Hartford recorded more than 30 albums in his life, ranging across a broad spectrum of styles--from the traditional country of his early RCA recordings, to the new and experimental sound of his early newgrass recordings, to the traditional folk style to which he often returned later in his life. Hartford's albums also vary widely in formality, from the stately and orderly "Annual Waltz" to the rougher and less cut recordings that typified many of his later albums.
"Aereo-Plain" and "Morning Bugle" are often considered to be Hartford's most influential work, coming as they did at the very beginning of a period in which artists such as Hartford and the New Grass Revival, led by Sam Bush, would create a new form of country music, blending their country backgrounds with influences from another of other sources. His later years saw a number of live albums, as well as recordings that explored the repertoire of old-time folk music. He sketched the cover art for some of his mid-career albums, drawing with both hands simultaneously.
From the 1980s onwards, Hartford struggled with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. On June 4, 2001 at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, at age 63, he died of the disease.
Hartford is remembered as an influential and pioneering artist. Never bound by the limitations of one genre, he recorded wherever his interests led him. Performing and recording until his illness rendered him incapable of continuing, Hartford contributed a vast and unique body of work to the library of American music.

Don't Ever Take Your Eyes Off the Game Babe
John Hartford Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Don't ever take your eye off the game - babe, if you don't want your deal to go down
Don't try to get away on a sunny day - that's the time to hang around
Well they might try to tell you that there ain't nothing wrong
Then the sheet gets short where it should've been long
and we're sittin' round a-singin' that old time song - called don't let your deal go down

all together now

(Chorus)
Don't let your deal go down (x 3)
till your last old dollar is gone

Don't never take your eye off the scoreboard babe - there's a lot of pretty lights up there
Don't never bet your ass on a snow white horse - it might not be going anywhere

now I don't need - to make you sad, you're having the best time - that you ever had
It's just your nature to wanna be bad - just don't let your deal go down

all together now
(chorus)

I'm sorry that I said what I said last night - I've been super paranoid of late
and with things going down the way they've been - it was the only way I could communicate
Sometimes its alright but nobody knows when the things you rely on just ain't so
til the times get better that's the way I gotta go if I don't want my deal to go down

all together now

Overall Meaning

The song "Don't Ever Take Your Eyes Off The Game Babe" by John Hartford is a cautionary tale about not letting one's guard down in business dealings. The opening line, "Don't ever take your eye off the game - babe, if you don't want your deal to go down," sets the tone for the entire song. The singer warns that if one is not vigilant, they will lose their money and possibly their livelihood.

The second verse further expounds on this idea by warning not to "get away on a sunny day." This line suggests that when things seem to be going well, it's crucial to stay vigilant as that's when one may lower their guard the most. The singer goes on to say that people may try to convince you that everything is okay when it's not.

The final verse adds a more personal touch to the song, with the singer apologizing for being paranoid and explaining that sometimes one must be cautious when they rely on something. Overall, the song's message is clear- always be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts.

Line by Line Meaning

Don't ever take your eye off the game - babe, if you don't want your deal to go down
Always pay attention to what's going on if you want to be successful

Don't try to get away on a sunny day - that's the time to hang around
Don't be complacent and stay alert even when things seem easy

Well they might try to tell you that there ain't nothing wrong
People may try to deceive you and make you believe that everything is okay even when it's not

Then the sheet gets short where it should've been long
Things may fall short of your expectations even when you've done your best

and we're sittin' round a-singin' that old time song - called don't let your deal go down
When things go wrong, you should remember to stay focused and keep trying

(Chorus) Don't let your deal go down (x 3) till your last old dollar is gone
Don't give up until you've exhausted all your resources

Don't never take your eye off the scoreboard babe - there's a lot of pretty lights up there
Always keep track of your progress and don't get distracted by external factors

Don't never bet your ass on a snow white horse - it might not be going anywhere
Don't put all your trust in something that appears to be perfect, it may disappoint you

now I don't need - to make you sad, you're having the best time - that you ever had
I don't want to ruin your fun, but you should still be careful and stay alert

It's just your nature to wanna be bad - just don't let your deal go down
Everyone has the urge to be reckless sometimes but you should still stay focused

(chorus)
Don't lose hope and keep trying until the very end

I'm sorry that I said what I said last night - I've been super paranoid of late
I apologize for my behavior, I've been anxious lately

and with things going down the way they've been - it was the only way I could communicate
Given the circumstances, I had to express my concerns in the only way I knew how to

Sometimes its alright but nobody knows when the things you rely on just ain't so
Sometimes, things may not go as planned even if it seems like everything is fine

til the times get better that's the way I gotta go if I don't want my deal to go down
I need to be cautious until things improve so that I don't suffer any losses

all together now
Let's all remember to stay focused and keep trying

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JOHN HARTFORD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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