From the recording Bound To Go: African-American Spirituals and Secular Folk Songs
Texas ballad
Andrew Calhoun,
guitar and vocal
Bob Soper, vocal and fiddle
Tony Dale, percussion
Dave Moore, harmonica
chorus: Sue Demel, Richard Shindell
Lyrics
With his diamond spade, got it in his hand
Gonna hew out the live oaks that are in this land
If I had listened what Rosie said
I'd a been sleeping in Rosie's bed
But I wouldn't listen got to running around
First thing I knew I was jailhouse bound
Well I got in the jail with my mouth poked out
Now I'm in the pen and I can't get out
Well-a John made a pair of shoes
Funniest shoes that was ever seen
Had a heel in front, had a heel behind
Couldn't hardly tell which way he's gone
Chorus:
He's long gone, he's lost John, he's gone gone
Like a turkey through the corn, with his long clothes on
He's gone gone, he's lost John, he's long gone
Well-a hear that sergeant jus' a huffin' & a blowin'
I believe I hear that bloodhound moanin'
I wouldn't stop if I seen myself dyin'
I'm on my way to that long leaf pine*
'Cross the Brazos river, in the mornin' dew,
Well it's goodbye sergeant, and the captain too
He's long gone, he's lost John, he's gone gone
Like a turkey through the corn, with his long clothes on
He's gone gone, he's lost John, he's long gone
Good morning, Mary, how do you do?
Well I crossed that river just to see you
Gimme 2-3 minutes just to catch my wind
2-3 minutes and I'm gone again...
He's long gone, he's lost John, he's gone gone
Like a turkey through the corn, with his long clothes on
He's gone gone, he's lost John, he's long gone