This was based on Bull Doze Blues, recorded in 1928 by Texas bluesman Henry Thomas, which you can hear on a Vocalion record here:
These are the words:
I’m going away, babe, and it won’t be long
I’m going away and it won’t be long
I’m going away and it won’t be long
Just as sure as that train leaves out of that Mobile yard
Just as sure as that train leaves out of that Mobile yard
Just as sure as that train leaves out of that Mobile yard
Come shake your hand, tell your papa goodbye
Come shake your hand, tell your papa goodbye
Come shake your hand, tell your papa goodbye
I’m going back to Tennessee
I’m going back to Memphis, Tennessee
I’m going back to Memphis, Tennessee
I’m going where I never get bull-dozed
I’m going where I never get the bull-doze
I’m going where I never get bull-dozed
If you don’t believe I’m sinking
Look what a hole I’m in
If you don’t believe I’m sinking
Look what a hole I’m in
If you don’t believe I’m sinking
Look what a fool I’ve been
Oh, my babe, take me back
How in the world…
Lord, take me back
Source: LyricFind
Canned Heat’s version, with different lyrics (see below the video) was first released on their third album, Living the Blues, in October 1968, then as a single in the November. It was Canned Heat’s most successful number, reaching No 11 in the US and 19 in the UK in January 1969.
I’m goin’ up the country, baby don’t you want to go?
I’m goin’ up the country, baby don’t you want to go?
I’m goin’ to some place, I’ve never been before
I’m goin’ I’m goin’ where the water tastes like wine
I’m goin’ where the water tastes like wine
We can jump in the water, stay drunk all the time
I’m gonna leave this city, got to get away
I’m gonna leave this city, got to get away
All this fussin’ and fightin’ man, you know I sure can’t stay
So baby pack your leavin’ trunk
You know we’ve got to leave today
Just exactly where we’re goin’ I cannot say
But we might even leave the U.S.A.
‘Cause there’s a brand new game that I don’t wanna play
No use in your runnin’, or screamin’ and cryin’
‘Cause you got a home as long as I’ve got mine.
Singer Alan Wilson died from a barbiturate overdose on September 3, 1970. Jimi Hendrix died on September 18, and Janis Joplin on October 4. All were aged 27.