OK. It’s time for a Woody Guthrie song. Actually Goin Down the Road Feelin Bad is a traditional song, a prison song, originally called Lonesome Road Blues that Woody played too. Naturally, Woody added some lyrics of his own and introduced the song to a larger audience, me included.
To all the guitar players and singers out there, including the “singers in the showers” singers and the “I’m sorry but I’ve always had a terrible voice” vocalists, Bumbastories recommends trying these songs on.
Woody said that he didn’t like songs that make you feel like you’re not worth anything. He stated he was out to fight those songs. His songs – even this one that talks about feeling bad, not having enough money for a decent pair of shoes – lift the heart and encourage. Woody’s songs glorify the working people (not everyone is “middle class”, that’s a fact!). Woody sings (we sing) to the average women and men doing their jobs in this world the best they can, people who walk on, who don’t give up the fight.
I’m goin down the road feelin bad/yes I’m goin down the road feelin bad/I’m goin down the road feelin bad, great God/ and I ain’t gonna be treated this-a-way.
I need a $20 dollar shoe to fit my feet
Your $10 shoe don’t fit my feet
My children need three square meals a day
I’m goin where the weather suits my clothes
I’m goin where the water tastes like wine
I’m goin down the road feelin bad and I ain’t gonna be treated this a way
An Occasional Story 
thank you for remembering your post of January now to support my G-readers!
I noticed two singers! Stephen & Bumba!
No, the second voice was Preston Maybank’s. We play together fairly regularly and sometimes I record it.
Haww!! Loved it! Woody Guthrie is one of my favs – as is Bumba!
Solve a mystery — I am unable to get your posts in my reader feed – how come, dear B? Thus, I have (again) chosen “following” — let’s see now.
Thanks for the post.
Btw, check out a new post on my blog – you are being missed at BID !
Glad you like the Woody Guthrie stuff. All the very best to you, Shaheen!
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Great start for a new week!
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A good week to you, Marina!
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I know this song by Bill Monroe. I didn’t know Woody Guthrie also did it. It’s very similar to Guthrie’s “Hard, Ain’t It Hard.”
You’re right, Hard Ain’t It Hard is about the same melody.
I don’t think I ever heard Bill Monroe do it though.
Just checked it out on UTube. Bill Monroe. He called it Lonesome Road Blues, and it’s terrific of course.