"Spider" John Koerner (born August 31, 1938, Rochester, New York, United St… Read Full Bio ↴"Spider" John Koerner (born August 31, 1938, Rochester, New York, United States) is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is best known as a guitarist and vocalist for the blues trio Koerner, Ray & Glover, which included Dave Ray and Tony Glover. He has also made albums as a solo performer and with collaborator Willie Murphy ("Spider" John Koerner & Willie Murphy).

Koerner grew up in Rochester, New York, and after a brief military service attended the University of Minnesota. He intended to major in engineering, but soon became involved in the local music scene where he met Dave Ray and Tony Glover. They formed a loose-knit trio, releasing albums under the name Koerner, Ray & Glover. The group gained notoriety with Blues, Rags and Hollers originally released by Audiophile in 1963 and then re-released by Elektra Records.
Koerner was an early influence on Bob Dylan and is mentioned in his autobiography Chronicles. Of that time period, Koerner later said, "We were all goofy, you know. We were thinkers and drinkers and artists and players, and Dylan was one of us. He was another guy."
In 1965, Koerner recorded his first solo album, Spider Blues, for Elektra and appeared at the Newport Folk Festival accompanied by Glover. He continued playing on the folk circuit and joined with Willie Murphy to record Running, Jumping, Standing Still in 1969. The duo eventually split up and Koerner pursued an unsuccessful career in film-making, retiring from music and moving to Copenhagen, Denmark. He later returned to music in the traditional folk music genre and continued to perform and release new albums from time to time. He now lives in Minneapolis and has two sons and a daughter.

Good Luck Child
Spider John Koerner Lyrics

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If a black cat crossed your path, little woman,
Would you walk along with me?
Don't have to worry 'bout a thing, girl,
It's all right, you see.
'Cause I'm a good luck charm,
Honey, don't worry 'bout me.
If you ain't got no money, baby,
That's all right too.

As long as you stick to me,
Some[?] will come to you.
I'm a good luck charm,
Honey, don't you worry 'bout me.
If a black cat crossed your path, little woman,
Would you walk along with me?
Don't have to worry 'bout a thing, girl,
It's all right, you see.
I'm a good luck charm,
Honey, don't worry 'bout me.

I'm a good luck charm,
Honey, don't worry 'bout me.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Spider John Koerner's song "Good Luck Child" express a sense of reassurance and protection. The singer, addressing a female subject, asks if she would walk with him even if a black cat crossed their path. The presence of a black cat is often associated with bad luck, but the singer asserts that he is a "good luck charm" and that the woman doesn't need to worry about anything as long as she is with him. He even goes so far as to say that it's "all right, you see," suggesting that his presence alone is enough to dispel any potential bad luck.

The singer then goes on to state that the woman doesn't need money, as long as she stays with him, and that "some[thing]" will come to her. Once again, he emphasizes that he is a good luck charm and that the woman shouldn't worry about anything as long as she is with him. The repeated assertion of this point reinforces the idea that the singer is a source of protection and reassurance.

Overall, the lyrics of "Good Luck Child" convey a sense of faith in the power of good luck and the singer's ability to provide it. The song suggests that the singer's presence is enough to mitigate any potential bad luck and that the woman can rely on him to guide her through life's uncertainties.

Good Luck ChildSpider John Koerner Lyrics

Good Luck Child
Spider John Koerner Lyrics