Original Performance: Robert Johnson
Written by: Robert Johnson
Written by: Robert Johnson
Live Versions:
- Last Fair Deal Gone Down
Available on Harry Smith Project Live.
CreditsSmokey Hormel: Guitar (Acoustic Slide)
Beck Hansen: Vocals
Lyrics:
Last Fair Deal Gone Down [Live version (a)]:
It's the last fair deal gone down
It's the last fair deal gone down
It's the last fair deal gone down, Good Lord
On that Rockport Island Road
My captain, he treats me so mean
My captain, he treats me so mean
My captain treats me so mean, Good Lord
On that Rockport Island Road
Ida Belle, don't you cry this time
Ida Belle, don't you cry this time
If you cry about a nickel, you'll cry about a dime
You would cry, but the money was mine
I love the way you do
I love the way you do
I love the way you do, Good Lord
On that Rockport Island Road
It's the last fair deal gone down
It's the last fair deal gone down
It's the last fair deal gone down, Good Lord
On that Rockport Island Road
I'm workin' my way back home
I'm workin' my way back home
I'm workin' my way back home, Good Lord
On that Rockport Island Road
Ida Belle, don't you cry this time
Ida Belle, don't you cry this time
If you cry about a nickel, you'll die about a dime
You would cry, but the money was mine
It's the last fair deal gone down
It's the last fair deal gone down
It's the last fair deal gone down, Good Lord
On that Rockport Island Road
On that Rockport Island Road
On that Rockport Island Road
It's the last fair deal gone down
It's the last fair deal gone down
It's the last fair deal gone down, Good Lord
On that Rockport Island Road
My captain, he treats me so mean
My captain, he treats me so mean
My captain treats me so mean, Good Lord
On that Rockport Island Road
Ida Belle, don't you cry this time
Ida Belle, don't you cry this time
If you cry about a nickel, you'll cry about a dime
You would cry, but the money was mine
I love the way you do
I love the way you do
I love the way you do, Good Lord
On that Rockport Island Road
It's the last fair deal gone down
It's the last fair deal gone down
It's the last fair deal gone down, Good Lord
On that Rockport Island Road
I'm workin' my way back home
I'm workin' my way back home
I'm workin' my way back home, Good Lord
On that Rockport Island Road
Ida Belle, don't you cry this time
Ida Belle, don't you cry this time
If you cry about a nickel, you'll die about a dime
You would cry, but the money was mine
It's the last fair deal gone down
It's the last fair deal gone down
It's the last fair deal gone down, Good Lord
On that Rockport Island Road
On that Rockport Island Road
On that Rockport Island Road
The Song:
Beck played this famous blues song at a Harry Smith tribute concerts on April 25 and 26, 2001. In the past, he has admitted to not being too interested in Robert Johnson, though with the amazing talent and influence Johnson had (and Beck's love of the blues), that always surprised me. The truth came out tonight, when Beck admitted he was indeed fascinated with Johnson, but always found him intimidating to perform.
Originally, Johnson's "Last Fair Deal Gone Down" was not included on the legendary and influential 3-disc Harry Smith Folk Anthology, but on a more recent, sequel compilation.
In 2006, Beck's live version from one of the two tributes was released on a cd of performances culled from the concerts. It is definitely a terrific performance, with Smokey Hormel on slide guitar. Beck is really into the song, and its easily one of his best blues performances.
Beck played this famous blues song at a Harry Smith tribute concerts on April 25 and 26, 2001. In the past, he has admitted to not being too interested in Robert Johnson, though with the amazing talent and influence Johnson had (and Beck's love of the blues), that always surprised me. The truth came out tonight, when Beck admitted he was indeed fascinated with Johnson, but always found him intimidating to perform.
Originally, Johnson's "Last Fair Deal Gone Down" was not included on the legendary and influential 3-disc Harry Smith Folk Anthology, but on a more recent, sequel compilation.
In 2006, Beck's live version from one of the two tributes was released on a cd of performances culled from the concerts. It is definitely a terrific performance, with Smokey Hormel on slide guitar. Beck is really into the song, and its easily one of his best blues performances.
Live:
Played live 3 times:
Earliest known live version: April 25, 2001
Latest known live version: August 11, 2002
Beck also played "Last Fair Deal Gone Down" at his own concert on August 11 2002 in Ann Arbor, MI. Jack White from the White Stripes joined Beck to sing back-up and play some stomping blues slide guitar. Beck sang and played harmonica. It's really a great jam, and easily a highlight from the August tour.
Played live 3 times:
Earliest known live version: April 25, 2001
Latest known live version: August 11, 2002
Beck also played "Last Fair Deal Gone Down" at his own concert on August 11 2002 in Ann Arbor, MI. Jack White from the White Stripes joined Beck to sing back-up and play some stomping blues slide guitar. Beck sang and played harmonica. It's really a great jam, and easily a highlight from the August tour.
Notes:
- From Robert Johnson's original, as printed in the liner notes to the must-have Complete Recordings of Robert Johnson]
It's the last fair deal goin' down, last fair deal goin' down
It's the last fair deal goin' down, good Lord, on that Gulfport Island Road
Eh, Ida Belle, don't cry this time, Ida Belle, don't cry this time
If you cry about a nickel, you'll cry 'bout a dime
She wouldn't cry, but the money won't mine
I like y' way you do, I love the way you do
I love the way you do, good Lord, on this Gulfport Island Road
My captain's so mean on me, my captain's so mean on me
My captain's so mean on m' - mmm, good Lord, on this Gulfport Island Road
Take camp tain he and see, camp ain't he and see
At scal ain't be at seen, good Lord, on this Gulfport Island Road
Ah, this last fair deal goin' down, it's the last fair deal goin' down
This the last fair deal goin' down, good Lord, on this Gulfport Island Road
I'm workin' my way back home, I'm workin' my way back home
I'm workin' my way back home, good Lord, on this Gulfport Island Road
And that thing don't keep a-ringin' so soon, that thing don't keep a-ringin' so soon
And that thing don't keep a-ringin' so soon, good Lord
On that Gulfed and Port Island Road