Live 29 Sep 1996 version
[Bruce Springsteen (spoken intro):] I'm bringing out my favorite Texan. Come on Joe. Joe Ely is gonna help me out on this one.
| Bruce Springsteen: | Well I'm going down that old dusty road |
| Yeah I'm going down that old dusty road | |
| Well I'm going down that old dusty road, Lord | |
| And I ain't gonna be treated this way | |
| Bruce Springsteen: | Well I'm going where the water tastes like wine |
| Yeah I'm going where the water tastes like wine | |
| Well I'm going where the water tastes like wine, Lord | |
| And I ain't gonna be treated this way | |
| Springsteen and Ely: | I'm going down this old dusty road |
| I'm going down this old dusty road | |
| I'm going down this old dusty road, Lord | |
| And I ain't gonna be treated this way | |
| Joe Ely: | I'm going where the grapes and peaches grow |
| I'm going where the grapes and peaches grow | |
| And I'm going where the grapes and peaches grow, Lord | |
| And I ain't gonna be treated this way | |
| Bruce Springsteen: | Yeah I'm going where the chilly winds don't blow |
| I'm going where the chilly winds don't blow | |
| I'm going where the chilly winds don't blow, Lord | |
| And I ain't gonna be treated this way | |
| Come on Joe! | |
| Springsteen and Ely: | I'm going down this old dusty road |
| I'm going down this old dusty road | |
| I'm going down this old dusty road, Lord | |
| And I ain't gonna be treated this way | |
| [Harmonica bridge] | |
| Bruce Springsteen: | Well my children they need three square meals a day |
| Yeah my children they need three square meals a day | |
| My children they need three square meals a day, Lord | |
| And I ain't gonna be treated this way | |
| Joe Ely: | And now I'm in a jailhouse on my knees |
| They got me in the jailhouse on my knees | |
| They got me in the jailhouse on my knees, Lord | |
| And I ain't gonna be treated this way | |
| Bruce Springsteen: | They're feeding me on corn bread and maize |
| Yeah they're feeding me on corn bread and maize | |
| They're feeding me on corn bread and maize, Lord | |
| And I ain't gonna be treated this way | |
| Sing with me! | |
| Springsteen and Ely: | Well I'm gonna change this whole damn world around |
| Yeah I'm gonna change this damn world around | |
| I'm gonna change this whole damn world around, Lord | |
| And I ain't gonna be treated this way | |
| Springsteen and Ely: | I'm going down this old dusty road |
| I'm going down this old dusty road | |
| I'm going down this old dusty road, Lord | |
| And I ain't gonna be treated this way | |
| And I ain't gonna be treated this way | |
| And I ain't gonna be treated this way |
The above lyrics are for the live 29 Sep 1996 performance of BLOWIN' DOWN THIS ROAD at Severance Hall in Cleveland, OH, during a Woody Guthrie tribute concert. The song was played in an acoustic guitar and harmonica arrangement and featured Joe Ely on guitar and shared lead vocals.
In September 1996 Cleveland's Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame And Museum and Case Western Reserve University cohosted "Hard Travelin': The Life And Legacy Of Woody Guthrie", a 10-day conference of panel sessions, lectures, and concerts to remember, honor, and celebrate the songs of Woody Guthrie. The conference became the first in what would become the museum's annual American Music Masters Series conference.
The conference concluded on 29 Sep 1996 with an all-star tribute concert at Severance Hall in Cleveland, OH. Billed "Hard Travelin': A Benefit Concert", the Sunday night concert was a collaboration between the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame And Museum and the Woody Guthrie Archives. It was hosted by Tim Robbins and featured several performers who came to pay tribute to Woody Guthrie, including Bruce Springsteen, Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, Billy Bragg, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Indigo Girls, Ani DiFranco, and David Priner.
The first six songs feature Springsteen solo or in the lead role while the last four songs feature Springsteen in a support/background role.
List of available versions of BLOWIN' DOWN THIS ROAD on this website:
BLOWIN' DOWN THIS ROAD [Live 19 May 1993 version]