Long Gone Lost John

Lost John slept along the railroad tracks
Waitin' for the freight train to come back
Freight train come back and didn't make no stop
Lost John thought he had to ride a cop
Along come a Dixie Fly just behind time
He missed the cowcatcher when he caught the blind
Now he's long, long gone

Lost John came by a country woman's house
He said to his wife, quiet as a mouse
Said to Mr. Lost John, be my friend

Be my friend until the end
Now Mr. Lost John, have no fear
I'll send for the porter and I'll buy some beer
Never mind, woman, don't you buy no bill
The hounds is on my trail and I can't stay here
John jumped up, run to the top of the hill
Said the hounds ain't caught me and they never will
Now I'm long, long gone

Now the funniest thing I ever have seen
Lost John comin' through the bowldin' green
Goin' barefooted, no shoes on his feet
Beggin' everybody for their bread and meat
Now he's long, long gone

Lost John made a pair of shoes of his own
Just as good as shoes that was ever were worn
Had heels in the front and heels behind
You couldn't tell which-a way Lost John's wind
Now he's long, long gone

He was standin' on the corner, talkin' to his brown
He doubled up his fist and knocked the police down
The police jumped up, said which-a way did he go
The last time I seen him was runnin' gelt for Mexico
Now he's long, long gone

They took old Lost John, they put him in the pen
Now the son of a gun, he's out and he's gone again
Now he's long, long gone

Now if anybody should ask you who composed this song
Tell 'em Papa Charlie Jackson and them hide along
Now we along, we along gone
That's all