Although Lead Belly most commonly played the twelve-string, he could also play the piano, mandolin, harmonica, violin, and accordion. In some of his recordings, such as in one of his versions of the folk ballad "John Hardy", he performs on the accordion instead of the guitar. In other recordings he just sings while clapping his hands or stomping his foot.
The topics of Lead Belly's music covered a wide range of subjects, including gospel songs; blues songs about women, liquor, prison life, and racism; and folk songs about cowboys, prison, work, sailors, cattle herding, and dancing. He also wrote songs concerning the newsmakers of the day, such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, Adolf Hitler, Jean Harlow, the Scottsboro Boys, and Howard Hughes.
In 2008, Lead Belly was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.
Though many of his posthumous releases list him as "Leadbelly," he himself spelled it "Lead Belly." This is also the usage on most of his original records, tombstone, as well as of the Lead Belly Foundation.
Leadbelly was born in Mooringsport, Louisiana, and spent time in and out of prison most of his life. In 1933, serving a sentence for attempted murder, musicologists John and Alan Lomax "discovered" him on a field recording tour sponsored by the Library of Congress. That summer, he was pardoned by the governor of Lousiana after recording his plea for pardon on a record, together with "Good Night Irene". Leadbelly went on to make hundreds of recordings of all sorts of different songs: country, blues, spirituals, reels, and work chants.
His songs have been covered by Mark Lanegan, The Animals, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Nirvana, Lonnie Donegan, Johnny Cash, Gene Autry, The Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin, British Sea Power, Ram Jam, Ry Cooder, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Half Man Half Biscuit, Tom Waits, Shocking Blue, The White Stripes, Long John Baldry.
Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Biography: Lead Belly Biography
BIO Biography: Lead Belly Biography
Lead Belly Foundation: Lead Belly Foundation.org
Lead Belly is also on Last.fm as Lead Belly
C.C. Rider
Leadbelly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
well now see, see what you have done.
Well now see., C. C. Rider,
well now see, see what you have done.
Well you made me love you woman,
Now your man has come.
So I'm goin' away now baby
I'm goin' away now baby
And I won't be back till fall,
Just might find me a good girl
Might not be comin' back at all.
Well now see, C. C. Rider,
See now the moon is shining bright,
Well now see, C. C. Rider,
See now the moon is shining bright,
Just might find me that good girl
And everything would be alright.
The Leadbelly song "C.C. Rider" is an expression of heartbreak and betrayal as the singer addresses the titular character directly, acknowledging her actions and their impact on his life. Throughout the song, he makes references to his love for her, and how her actions have caused him to suffer. He states that he will be leaving, and that he may not return, as he seeks to find a new love interest who will treat him better.
The lyrics employ repetition to create emphasis, and the rhyme scheme contributes to the song's musicality. The word "see" is used frequently to draw attention to various elements of the setting, such as the moon shining brightly. This helps to set the mood of the song, creating a sense of melancholy that is typical of blues music. The singer's emotions are palpable, and the song tells a story that many can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
Well now see., C. C. Rider,
Look now, C.C. Rider,
well now see, see what you have done.
Look what you've done now that I love you, C.C. Rider.
Well you made me love you woman,
You are the reason I fell in love with you, woman.
Now your man has come.
But now your man has come to claim you.
So I'm goin' away now baby
Therefore, I'm leaving now, my dear
And I won't be back till fall,
I won't be back until the season of autumn.
Just might find me a good girl
I might decide to find a good girl.
Might not be comin' back at all.
And it's possible that I may not return at all.
Well now see, C. C. Rider,
Look now, C.C. Rider,
See now the moon is shining bright,
Observe the bright shining moon.
Just might find me that good girl
Perhaps, I'll come across that good girl.
And everything would be alright.
And everything will be fine again.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: CHUCK WILLIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@scouseronthewirral
Written by Lena Arent & Ma Rainey
Ma Rainey recorded her song on 15 October 1924, released in Feb 1925.
Many adaptions of the song over the years have been recorded including :
Huddie Leadbelly (Nov 1940)
Ray Charles (1950)
The Orioles (1952)
Louis Armstrong (1957)
Chuck Willis (1957) peaked at #3 R&B & #12 Pop
Odetta (1957)
Lighnini’ Hopkins (Mar 1958)
Charlie Rich (1960)
Jerry Lee Lewis (Jun 1960)
Peggy Lee (Oct 1962)
Lavern Baker (Nov 1962) #9 R&B #34 Pop
Jimmy Reed (1963)
Ella Fitzgerald (1964)
Lonnie Johnson (1964)
The Everly Bros (Aug 1965)
Cher (Sep 1965)
B.B King (1965)
The Animals (Jul 1966) #10 Pop
Carl Perkins (Oct 1969)
Elvis Presley First Recorded a Live Version on 18 February 1970 and released on his “On Stage” Album on 1 June 1970.
@arbarb7204
(hums)
And it's Hey Hey Hey
See me Coming, put your man outdoors,
See me Coming, put your man outdoors,
Hey Hey Hey
Easy Rider, See What you done done
Easy Rider, See What you done done
Easy Rider, See What you done done
Hey Hey Hey
(guitar and stomp)
Hey Hey Hey
I woke the nation and old Jericho (?)
x3
Hey Hey Hey
I tried to find, the funny girl I know (?)
x3
Hey Hey Hey
If I was a catfish,
Swimming in the deep blue sea
If I was a catfish,
Swimming in the deep blue sea
If I was a catfish,
Swimming in the deep blue sea
Hey Hey Hey
(guitar and stomp)
Hey Hey Hey
Looky here Baby, What you got on your mind?
x3
Trying to fool, trying to fool a man of mine (?)
x3
Other Version:
(hums)
And it's Hey Hey Hey
Easy Rider, See What you done done
Lord,
Easy Rider, See What you done done
Easy Rider, See What you done done
Hey Hey Hey
Every time I see you, you're holding out your hand
Every time I see you, holding out your hand
Every time I see you, holding out your hand
Well now, C. C. Rider, see what you have done.
C. C. Rider, well now see, see what you have done.
Well you made me love you woman,
Now your man has come.
Hey Hey Hey
If I was a catfish,
Swimming in the deep blue sea
If I was a catfish,
Swimming in the deep blue sea
If I was a catfish,
Swimming in the deep blue sea
And it would be Hey Hey Hey
I'd start all you woman diving after me.
I'd start all you woman diving after me.
I'd start all you woman diving after me.
Well now, Easy Rider, hear me talking to you.
@dustywhite9101
My Daddy raised me on the blues. And I'm so thankful that he did. He had such an appreciation for this music. Unfortunately, He passed on dec9th 2021. So now, I share these videos on all of my social media platforms, to keep his spirit & his legacy alive. This was one of his favorite songs.
I L❤VE YOU DADDY!!
@larrytabor
man. I'm so sorry Dusty. My grandpa died on the 18th of july last year. But at least they're always in our memories. see ya on the other side Dusty White's dad and Pop pops.
@thaxtonwaters8561
Your Dad passed on my Dad's birthday...i definitely miss him but the left many moments & memories.
@violetssm
I only have Robert Johnson CDs... Thanks fo r posting this, it has gone into so many adaptions over the years.
It takes a bit of imagination with your eyes closed to get the 'feel' of these old crackly tracks.... but they always get you toe-tappin'.💖
@teddy1066
“If I was a catfish, swimming in the deep blue sea” Always loved that line.
@tonycanabal1659
Roger E. Mosley who passed away today played Leadbelly in a movie a few years before Magnum P. I.
@scouseronthewirral
Written by Lena Arent & Ma Rainey
Ma Rainey recorded her song on 15 October 1924, released in Feb 1925.
Many adaptions of the song over the years have been recorded including :
Huddie Leadbelly (Nov 1940)
Ray Charles (1950)
The Orioles (1952)
Louis Armstrong (1957)
Chuck Willis (1957) peaked at #3 R&B & #12 Pop
Odetta (1957)
Lighnini’ Hopkins (Mar 1958)
Charlie Rich (1960)
Jerry Lee Lewis (Jun 1960)
Peggy Lee (Oct 1962)
Lavern Baker (Nov 1962) #9 R&B #34 Pop
Jimmy Reed (1963)
Ella Fitzgerald (1964)
Lonnie Johnson (1964)
The Everly Bros (Aug 1965)
Cher (Sep 1965)
B.B King (1965)
The Animals (Jul 1966) #10 Pop
Carl Perkins (Oct 1969)
Elvis Presley First Recorded a Live Version on 18 February 1970 and released on his “On Stage” Album on 1 June 1970.
@dennismartin5821
Real music!!
@enepeaene
this is so deep and energetic
@MrDrewlips
great photos. love @3:28 thanks.