Big Joe Williams - Baby Please don't go

First performance: 02/09/1972


Coverinfo

Bruce played the song only once:
 
1972-09-02 Huddy Park, Highlands, NJ 

During a twelve hour 'end of summer' outdoor show, billed as the first annual Highlands Art / Music Fair. While playing "Down The Road Apiece", after a few moments the power goes out, and they restart the song once power returns. A Springsteen original, called "Water Station", is next up, with the music and lyrics made up on the spot. Four minutes in the power goes out again, followed by an amusing interchange between Tinker and the band. Power is restored, and the band perform Big Joe Williams' "Baby, Please Don't Go". Apparently Springsteen only knows lyrics for the first verse, so fills in with lyrics from "It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City". Other bands on the bill are Crazy Lester And The Blue Water Rangers, Taylors Mills Road, Lee Reiser (erroneously spelt Reisner in a newspaper article), and Charlotte. Headlining acts include the Tinker West managed local band Odin, as well as New Jersey-based folk rock band Montana Flintlock, who were also signed by Mike Appel, trading as Laurel Canyon Ltd. Columbia were briefly interested in signing the band to their label, before changing their minds. Springsteen (who at this point had completed his first album but had still not put together a touring band) makes an unscheduled guest appearance near the end of the show after an invitation from Odin's Tom Cohen, singing and performing several songs with the band. First song appears to be a Springsteen composition, perhaps titled "This Is My Confession". Cohen and Springsteen exchange guitar solos on this track.
 
 
  
  

Songinfo

"Baby, Please Don't Go" is a blues song that has been called "one of the most played, arranged, and rearranged pieces in blues history" by French music historian Gérard Herzhaft. Delta blues musician Big Joe Williams popularized the song with several versions beginning in 1935. "Baby, Please Don't Go" is likely an adaptation of "Long John", an old folk theme which dates back to the time of slavery in the United States. 
 
 
 

Other cover versions

Bruce on the artist

Lyrics

Now, baby please don't go
Now, baby please don't go home
Baby, please don't go
Back to New Orleans
And get your cold ice cream
I believe that a man done gone
I believe that a man done gone
I believe that a man done gone
To the county farm
Now, with his long chain on
Turn your lamp down low
You turn your lamp down low
Turn your lamp down low
I cried all night long
Now, baby please don't go
I begged you night before
I begged you night before
Begged you night before
Turn your lamp down low
Now, baby please don't go
I believe my baby done lied
I believe my baby done lied
I believe, my baby, she lied
Says she didn't have a man now
While I had my time
'Fore I'd be yo' dog
Play, I swore I'd leave your do
'Fore I'd be yo' dog
I'd pack my trunk this morning, baby
Go back to Rolling Fork
I believe I'll leave, here
I believe I'll leave you here
I believe I'll leaves you here
'Cause you got me way up here
An you don't feel my care
Now, baby please don't go
Oh baby, please don't go
Now, baby please don't go
Back to New Orleans
Even though I love you so
I believe you trying just leave me here
Why leave your daddy, here?
Why leave your daddy, here?
You got me way down here
And you don't feel my care