Catfish John
“Catfish John” was written by Bob McDill and Allen Reynolds and released by Johnny Russell in 1972. A year later, Jerry Garcia played and recorded this song with Old & In The Way. It soon became a staple of the JGB repertoire and was even recorded on Garcia’s third solo album, Reflections.
Lyrics
Mama said, "Don't go near that river"
"Don't be hanging round old Catfish John"
Come the morning I'd always be there
Walking in his footsteps in the sweet Delta dawn
Take me back to another morning
To a time so long ago
When the sweet magnolia blossomed
Cotton fields were white as snow
Catfish John was a river hobo
Lived and died by the river's bend
Looking back I still remember
I was proud to be his friend
Mama said, "Don't go near that river"
"Don't be hanging round old Catfish John"
Come the morning I'd always be there
Walking in his footsteps in the sweet Delta dawn
Born a slave in the town of Richmond
Traded for a chestnut mare
Lord, he never spoke in anger
Though his load was hard to bear
Mama said, "Don't go near that river"
"Don't be hanging round old Catfish John"
Come the morning I'd always be there
Walking in his footsteps in the sweet Delta dawn
Mama said, "Don't go near that river"
"Don't be hanging round old Catfish John"
Come the morning I'd always be there
Walking in his footsteps in the sweet Delta dawn
Walking in his footsteps in the sweet Delta dawn
Chord Chart
Solo Lesson (3/1/80)
Solo Transcription (3/1/80)
