Music -- The Midnight Special

Lyrics provided for informational and educational purposes only.

Lyrics are subject to all U.S. copyright laws and remain property of their respective owners.

Well, you wake up in the mornin'
You hear the big bell ring
And when you get down to the table
It's the same damn thing
Knife and fork is on the table, woo
Ain't nothin' in the pan
And if you says a word about it
You're in trouble with the man

Let the Midnight Special
Shine a light on me
Let the Midnight Special
Shine a light on me

Well if you ever go to Houston, Texas
Oh you better walk right
Oh well you better not quarrel
And you better not fight
Sheriff Johnson will arrest you
Oh he'll take you on down
And you can bet your bottom dollar
You're penitentiary bound

Let the Midnight Special
Shine a light on me
Let the Midnight Special
Shine a light on me
Let the Midnight Special
Shine a light on me
Let the Midnight Special
Shine a light on me

Well, yonder come [little Rosie]/[Winnie Mandela]
How in the world do you know?
Well, I can tell her by her apron
Or the dress she wore
Umbrella on her shoulder, woo
Piece of paper in her hand
She gonna write to the gov'nor
To turn loose her man

Let the Midnight Special
Shine a light on me
Let the Midnight Special
Shine a light on me
Let the Midnight Special
Shine a light on me
Let the Midnight Special
Shine a light on me
Let the Midnight Special
Shine a light on me
Let the Midnight Special
Shine a light on me

Lyrics by Huddie Ledbetter, John A. Lomax and Alan Lomax.

Recorded by Leadbelly Biscuits; Creedence Clearwater Revival; many others.

"Midnight Special" is a traditional folk song thought to have originated among prisoners in the American South. Lyrics appearing in the song were first recorded in print by Howard Odum in 1905. In 1934, Huddie William "Lead Belly" Ledbetter recorded a version of the song at Angola Prison for John and Alan Lomax, who mistakenly attributed it to him as the author. Many artists have covered it since.