Help needed: Lyrics to John Mayall's "Down the Line" (blues, album)

Downwind_Sailor · 05-28-2005, 03:23 AM

Who knows - or can check my transcription of - the lyrics of "Down the Line" (from the album THE BLUES ALONE, 1968)?

I tried to transcribe the lyrics from the record myself but find some of my words a bit strange. Not being a native speaker of English, I am always wary of what I (fail to) hear. I find the "You’re the ruler today" line particularly suspicious.

O.K., after this self-demeaning prologue, here goes:

DOWN THE LINE

See the moon shine on (my)
empty, empty bed
See the moon shine on (my)
empty, empty bed
’Nother man got my woman
shotgun at my head.

Ain’t no use a-cryin’
she is gone tonight
Ain’t no use a-cryin’
she is gone tonight
You’re the ruler today
tomorrow may be alright.

It’s been a long time, baby
I been down the line
It’s been a long time, baby
I been down the line
But the next time, next time
please, please – please be mine.

Composed and performed by John Mayall in 1967; published on THE BLUES ALONE (1968).

05-28-2005, 03:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
Downwind_Sailor Groupie Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1	Help needed: Lyrics to John Mayall's "Down the Line" Who knows - or can check my transcription of - the lyrics of "Down the Line" (from the album THE BLUES ALONE, 1968)? I tried to transcribe the lyrics from the record myself but find some of my words a bit strange. Not being a native speaker of English, I am always wary of what I (fail to) hear. I find the "You’re the ruler today" line particularly suspicious. O.K., after this self-demeaning prologue, here goes: DOWN THE LINE See the moon shine on (my) empty, empty bed See the moon shine on (my) empty, empty bed ’Nother man got my woman shotgun at my head. Ain’t no use a-cryin’ she is gone tonight Ain’t no use a-cryin’ she is gone tonight You’re the ruler today tomorrow may be alright. It’s been a long time, baby I been down the line It’s been a long time, baby I been down the line But the next time, next time please, please – please be mine. Composed and performed by John Mayall in 1967; published on THE BLUES ALONE (1968).