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
New York City
Leadbelly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
new york city is a high timin'
new york city! woo! ain't that a city
new york city, baby, you've gotta know my line!
there's one thing folks i'd ask you to do
catch a busride ride up fifth avenue
new york city! woo! ain't that a city
when you ride that bus keep it on your mind
ride that bus that sure gonna cost you a diamond
new york city! woo! ain't that a city
new york city, baby, you've gotta know my line!
when your gammy be callin', "it looks like rain"
sit down inside, catch you a subway train
new york city! woo! ain't that a city
new york city, baby, you've gotta know my line!
if i ever go down to georgia i'm gonna walk and talk
and tell everybody about the city of new york
new york city! woo! ain't that a city
new york city, baby, you've gotta know my line!
if i go down to lousiana i'll walk in tell
get on atop of the townbell and call a yellin'
new york city! woo! ain't that a city
new york city, baby, you've gotta know my line!
train's runnin' in the ground and it won't keep still
when i catch me a train to ride to sugar hill
new york city! woo! ain't that a city
new york city, baby, you've gotta know my line!
new york city, baby, you've gotta know my line!
Leadbelly's song "New York City" is a celebration of the vibrancy and energy of the city. The lyrics provide a snapshot of various experiences that one might have in New York, from fishing in the city's waters to riding the famous buses up Fifth Avenue. The song's upbeat and playful tone captures the excitement of being in a place like New York, where there always seems to be something happening.
The first verse describes Leadbelly's intention to go fishing in New York City, with the implication being that even though the city is known for its busy streets and towering buildings, there is still room for leisure activities like fishing. The next verse encourages listeners to take a bus ride up Fifth Avenue, highlighting the iconic landmarks and high-end shopping destinations that the avenue is known for. The third verse references the cost of riding the bus, suggesting that even though New York City can be expensive, it is worth it for the experiences it offers. The fourth verse encourages commuters to take the subway when the weather turns bad, again emphasizing the practicality and convenience of the city's infrastructure. The final two verses express Leadbelly's desire to share the excitement of New York City with others, stating his intention to spread the word about the city to those he encounters on future travels.
Overall, "New York City" is an ode to the city's hustle and bustle, its diversity and excitement. The lyrics encourage listeners to immerse themselves in all that the city has to offer and to savor the unique experiences that can be found there.
Line by Line Meaning
i'm in new york city i'm gonna lower my line
I have arrived in New York City and I am going to try my luck here.
new york city is a high timin'
New York City is a place of high society and glamour.
new york city! woo! ain't that a city
New York City is an amazing place, don't you agree?
new york city, baby, you've gotta know my line!
You have to understand my way of life to make it in New York City.
there's one thing folks i'd ask you to do
I have a request for all of you.
catch a busride ride up fifth avenue
Take a bus ride up Fifth Avenue to get the New York City experience.
when you ride that bus keep it on your mind
Remember the experience of riding the bus in New York City.
ride that bus that sure gonna cost you a diamond
Riding the bus in New York City is an expensive and luxurious experience.
when your gammy be callin', "it looks like rain"
When your grandmother says it looks like rain, take the subway instead of risking getting wet.
sit down inside, catch you a subway train
Take a seat on the subway and enjoy the ride to stay dry in the rain.
if i ever go down to georgia i'm gonna walk and talk
If I ever go to Georgia, I will tell everyone about the wonders of New York City.
if i go down to lousiana i'll walk in tell
If I go to Louisiana, I will make sure everyone knows about New York City.
get on atop of the townbell and call a yellin'
I will climb to the top of the town bell and shout out about New York City.
train's runnin' in the ground and it won't keep still
The train rides in New York City are bumpy and noisy.
when i catch me a train to ride to sugar hill
When I catch a train to Sugar Hill, I know I am in New York City.
new york city, baby, you've gotta know my line!
You have to understand my way of life to make it in New York City.
Contributed by Reagan R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ethanhill9460
I've traveled down NYC by public transit bus. Great ride with Central Park to your right. Sars Covid-19 doesn't kill trees, thank Gawd.
@moonlightdust1984
pioneer....respect....~
@jacobbryan4875
Excellent.
@wh7227
I'm in new york city i'm gonna lower my line
New york city is a high timin'
New york city! woo! ain't that a city
New york city, baby, you've gotta know my line!
There's one thing folks i'd ask you to do
Catch a busride ride up fifth avenue
New york city! woo! ain't that a city
New york city, baby, you've gotta know my line!
When you ride that bus keep it on your mind
Ride that bus that sure gonna cost you a diamond
New york city! woo! ain't that a city
New york city, baby, you've gotta know my line!
When your gammy be callin', "it looks like rain"
Sit down inside, catch you a subway train
New york city! woo! ain't that a city
New york city, baby, you've gotta know my line!
If i ever go down to georgia i'm gonna walk and talk
And tell everybody about the city of new york
New york city! woo! ain't that a city
New york city, baby, you've gotta know my line!
If i go down to lousiana i'll walk in tell
Get on atop of the townbell and call a yellin'
New york city! woo! ain't that a city
New york city, baby, you've gotta know my line!
@MrDazzlerdarren
These lyrics are incorrect.For example: in 2 lines he sings "New York City have even got to know my lines!" and "Ride that bus that sure gonna cost you a dime" and not what you have written.
These could be from a different version of him playing I'm guessing as your lyrics don't even contain the Sugar Hill section.
@11nytram11
I admit to struggling to understand all the words Leadbelly sings but some of what you've put does not seem right.
I think the first verse should be "New York City, yes I'm mighty fine in". The third verse should be "dime" not "diamond", and the fourth verse should be "When it began to get cloudy, look like rain"