Goin Down the Road Feelin Bad on the Road Again
Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad
Lyrics: Traditional
Music: Traditional
Played by the Grateful Dead from 1970 right through to the 1990s. Jerry Garcia apparently learnt it from Delaney Bramlett during the "Festival Express" train ride across Canada in 1970. It almost always ends with an instrumental fragment of And We Bid You Goodnight (thanks to Chris /jones for pointing this out)
ChorusNotes
Going down the road feeling bad
Going down the road feeling bad
Going down the road feeling bad, hey hey hey, yeah
Don't wanna be treated this a wayGoing where the climate suits my clothes
I'm going where the climate suits my clothes
Going where the climate suits my clothes
Don't wanna be treated this a way[chorus]
Going where the water tastes like wine
Well I'm going where the water tastes like wine
Going where the water tastes like wine (note a)
I don't wanna be treated this a way[chorus]
[chorus]
[chorus]
(a) David Gans says that on 30 March 1973 Jerry sang "tastes like turpentine". I've seen references to Bill Monroe singing that, though I haven't found a recording. In the Jimmie Rogers' song 'T for Texas' (thanks to Tim Lynch for pointing this out) he sings:
I'm going where the water tastes like cherry wineWhen the song was being developed in the early 1970s, Jerry Garcia sang a number of additional verses. This from 6 November 1970:
Yeah, I'm going where the water tastes like cherry wine
'Cause the water down here in Georgia tastes like turpentine
My mother told me, "Son don't go down there"And this from 29 April 1971 (thanks to Brad Dilli for pointing it out):
Momma told "Don't go way down there"
Momma told "Don't go way down there, down there"
Don't wanna be treated this a way
I'm going where those chilly winds don't blow
I'm going where those chilly winds don't blow
Going where those chilly winds don't blow
Don't want to be treated this way
Grateful Dead Recordings | Date | Album | ||||
| 18 Feb 1971 | American Beauty (50th Anniversary Edition) | ||||
| 18 Mar 1971 | 30 Trips Around The Sun | ||||
| 5 Apr 1971 | Skull And Roses | ||||
| 28 Apr 1971 | Ladies And Gentlemen ... The Grateful Dead | ||||
| 29 Apr 1971 | Ladies And Gentlemen ... The Grateful Dead | ||||
| 2 Jul 1971 | Grateful Dead (Skull & Roses) (50th Anniversary Bonus Disc) | ||||
| 31 Jul 1971 | Road Trips Number 1, Volume 3 | ||||
| 4 Aug 1971 | Road Trips Number 1, Volume 3 (bonus disc) | ||||
| 7 Aug 1971 | Dick's Picks Vol 35 | ||||
| 24 Aug 1971 | Dick's Picks Vol 35 | ||||
| 3 Oct 1971 | Dick's Picks Vol 2 | ||||
| 15 Nov 1971 | Road Trips Number 3, Volume 2 | ||||
| 17 Nov 1971 | Dave's Picks Volume 26 | ||||
| 7 Dec 1971 | Dave's Picks Volume 22 | ||||
| 9 Dec 1971 | Listen To The River: St Louis '71 '72 73 | ||||
| 10 Dec 1971 | Listen To The River: St Louis '71 '72 73 | ||||
| 14 Dec 1971 | Dave's Picks Volume 26 | ||||
| 26 Mar 1972 | Dave's Picks Vol 14 | ||||
| 28 Mar 1972 | Dick's Picks Vol 30 | ||||
| 7 Apr 1972 | Europe '72: Vol. 2 (note 1) | ||||
| 14 Apr 1972 | Europe '72 - The Complete Recordings | ||||
| 16 Apr 1972 | Europe '72 - The Complete Recordings | ||||
| 24 Apr 1972 | Rockin' The Rhein (note 1) | ||||
| 26 Apr 1972 | Hundred Year's Hall (note 1) | ||||
| 3 May 1972 | Europe '72 - The Complete Recordings | ||||
| 4 May 1972 | Europe '72 - The Complete Recordings | ||||
| 7 May 1972 | Steppin' Out with the Grateful Dead: England '72 (note 1) | ||||
| 10 May 1972 | Europe '72 - The Complete Recordings | ||||
| 13 May 1972 | Europe '72 - The Complete Recordings | ||||
| 16 May 1972 | Europe '72 - The Complete Recordings | ||||
| 23 May 1972 | Europe '72 - The Complete Recordings | ||||
| 25 May 1972 | Europe '72 - The Complete Recordings | ||||
| 26 May 1972 | Europe '72 - The Complete Recordings | ||||
| 21 Sep 1972 | Dick's Picks Vol 36 | ||||
| 17 Oct 1972 | Listen To The River: St Louis '71 '72 73 | ||||
| 19 Oct 1972 | Listen To The River: St Louis '71 '72 73 | ||||
| 15 Nov 1972 | Dave's Picks Volume 11 (filler) | ||||
| 26 Feb 1973 | Dick's Picks Vol 28 | ||||
| 8 Sep 1973 | Dave's Picks Volume 38 | ||||
| 30 Oct 1973 | Listen To The River: St Louis '71 '72 73 | ||||
| 9 Nov 1973 | Winterland 1973 - The Complete Recordings | ||||
| 14 Nov 1973 | 30 Trips Around The Sun | ||||
| 21 Nov 1973 | Road Trips Volume 4, Number 3 | ||||
| 4 Dec 1973 | Winterland 1973 - The Complete Recordings (bonus disc) | ||||
| 10 Dec 1973 | Download Series Vol 8 | ||||
| 24 Feb 1974 | Dave's Picks Volume 13 | ||||
| 14 May 1974 | Dave's Picks Volume 9 | ||||
| 19 May 1974 | Pacific Northwest '73-'74 (note 3) | ||||
| 16 Jun 1974 | Road Trips Number 2, Volume 3 (bonus disc) | ||||
| 18 Oct 1974 | Grateful Dead Movie (video, DVD & CD) | ||||
| 28 Jun 1975 | Dick's Picks Vol 12 | ||||
| 13 Aug 1975 | One From The Vault | ||||
| 28 Sep 1975 | 30 Trips Around The Sun | ||||
| 19 Jun 1976 | June 1976 Box Set | ||||
| 17 Jul 1976 | Dave's Picks Volume 18 | ||||
| 28 Sep 1976 | Dick's Picks Vol 20 | ||||
| 29 Apr 1977 | Download Series Vol 1 | ||||
| 13 May 1977 | May 1977 Box Set | ||||
| 26 May 1977 | Dave's Picks Volume 41 | ||||
| 8 Jun 1977 | Winterland June 1977 - The Complete Recordings | ||||
| 14 May 1978 | 30 Trips Around The Sun | ||||
| 22 Oct 1978 | Road Trips Volume 1, Number 4 ("From Egypt With Love") | ||||
| 15 May 1980 | Go To Nassau | ||||
| 4 Sep 1980 | Download Series Vol 7 | ||||
| 6 May 1981 | Dick's Picks Vol 13 | ||||
| 16 May 1981 | 30 Trips Around The Sun | ||||
| 25 Apr 1983 | Dave's Picks Volume 39 | ||||
| 2 Sep 1983 | Dave's Picks Volume 27 | ||||
| 3 May 1986 | 30 Trips Around The Sun | ||||
| 18 Sep 1987 | 30 Trips Around The Sun | ||||
| 27 Mar 1988 | Download Series Vol 5 | ||||
| 31 Mar 1988 | Road Trips Volume 4, Number 2 | ||||
| 3 Jul 1988 | 30 Trips Around The Sun | ||||
| 2 Apr 1989 | Download Series Vol 9 | ||||
| 9 Jul 1989 | Giants Stadium 1987, 1989, 1991 Boxed Set | ||||
| 17 Jul 1989 | Downhill From Here (video and DVD only) | ||||
| 19 Mar 1990 | Spring 1990 | ||||
| 25 Mar 1990 | Dozin' At The Knick (note 1) | ||||
| 3 Apr 1990 | Spring 1990 (The Other One) | ||||
Notes
(1) also on the box set Europe '72 - The Complete Recordings
(2) also in Spring 1990 (The Other One)
(3) also on the Best Of The Grateful Dead Hour Vol 2
Other Dead-related Recordings
| Date | Album | Recorded By | |||
| 1999 | Gathering On The Mountain, Live Part 3 | Tom Constanten et al | |||
| 12 Nov 2005 | For Rex: The Black Tie Dye Ball | Zen Tricksters plus friends | |||
| 2007 | At Fine Arts Center, UMass | The American Beauty Project | |||
| 22 Jul 2010 | Jerry Jams for Rex | Moonalice | |||
| 2013 | Move Me Brightly | Bob Weir et al (DVD) | |||
| 2016 | Day Of The Dead | Lucinda Williams & Friends | |||
| 2017 | Dead Songs Vol 1 | Barton Hills Choir |
Roots
The origins of this song go back a long way. This, for example is one account:
"Going Down the Road Feeling Bad was frequently recorded in the 1920s and 1930s by hillbilly artists such as Henry Whitter, Ernest Stoneman, and Fiddlin' John Carson. While the earliest commercial release dates only to 1923, these numerous recordings suggest currency in the oral tradition. Floating lyrics common to the song appear in other folksongs. Big Bill Broonzy also included it in his repertoire, and the song may have roots in the African-American tradition. So it is likely that this 'real migration song' of the Okies derived from material common to both black and white balladeers in the South and the Southwest."The earliest recording I have found is a 78 by Henry Whitter, under the title "Lonseome Road Blues", with lyrics:
Oh I'm going down that road feeling badThere are numerous other recordings and variants, under titles including "Blowing Down The Road", "Chilly Winds", "Ain't Gonna Be Treated This Way" etc. This is the Woody Guthrie version included on "The Music Never Stopped: The Roots Of The Grateful Dead":
Oh I'm going down that road feeling bad
Oh I'm going down that road feeling bad
And I ain't gonna be treated this wayOh I'm going where that chilly wind never blows
Oh I'm going where that chilly wind never blows
Oh I'm going where that chilly wind never blows
And I ain't gonna be treated this wayOh way down in jail on my knees
Oh way down in jail on my knees
Oh way down in jail on my knees
And I ain't gonna be treated this wayOh feed me on cornbread and peas
Oh feed me on cornbread and peas
Oh feed me on cornbread and peas
And I ain't gonna be treated this wayYes I'm going where the climate suits my clothes
Yes I'm going where the climate suits my clothes
Yes I'm going where the climate suits my clothes
And I ain't gonna be treated this wayOh I going if I never come back
Oh I going if I never come back
Oh I going if I never come back
And I ain't gonna be treated this way
I'm going down this road feeling badBob Dylan recorded a version with The Band on the "Basement Tapes", though it has never been released. It circulates under the title "No Shoes On My Feet":
I'm going down this road feeling bad
I'm going down this road feeling bad, bad, bad
And I ain't gonna be treated this wayI'm going where the water tastes like wine
I'm going where the water tastes like wine
I'm going where the water tastes like wine, wine, wine
And I ain't gonna be treated this wayTakes a ten-dollar shoe to fit my feet
Takes a ten-dollar shoe to fit my feet
Takes a ten-dollar shoe to fit my feet, Lord, Lord
And I ain't gonna be treated this wayYour two-dollar shoe hurts my feet
Your two-dollar shoe hurts my feet
Your two-dollar shoe hurts my feet, Lord Lord
And I ain't gonna be treated this wayI ain't gonna be treated this way
I ain't gonna be treated this way
I ain't gonna be treated this way, Lord, God
And I ain't gonna be treated this way
I'm blowing down that old dusty roadJerry Garcia himself said that he learnt the song from Delaney Bramlett during the "Festival Express" train ride across Canada in 1970. This is the version that Delaney Bramlett recorded with Bonnie on their album "Motel Shot" in 1971:
Yes I'm blowing down that old dusty road
I'm just blowing down that old dusty road, Lord, Lord
And I ain't gonna be treated this wayYes it's a ten dollar shoe on my feet
Yes a ten dollar shoe on my feet
Yes it's a ten dollar shoe on my feet, Lord, Lord
And I ain't gonna be treated this wayI'm going where the water tastes like wine
I'm going where the water tastes like wine
I'm going where the water tastes like wine, Lord
And I ain't gonna be treated this wayI'm going down the road feeling bad
I'm going down the road feeling bad
I'm going down the road feeling bad, Lord, Lord
And I ain't gonna be treated this wayI'm going where the chilly winds don't blow
I'm going where the chilly winds don't blow
I'm going where the chilly winds don't blow
And I ain't gonna be treated this wayI'm going down the road feeling bad
I'm going down the road feeling bad
I'm going down the road feeling bad, Lord, Lord
And I ain't gonna be treated this way
No I ain't gonna be treated this way
Goin' down that road feelin' badElizabeth Cotten recorded a version, that is lyrically very different:
Lord, I'm goin' down the road feelin' bad
Goin' down the road feelin' bad, Lord, Lord
Ain't gonna be treated this wayMama said, "son, don't go way down there"
She said, "don't go way down there"
She told me, "don't go way down there", Lord, Lord
Don't want to be treated this wayGoin' down the road feelin' bad
Lord, I'm goin' down the road feelin' bad
Goin' down the road feelin' bad, Lord, Lord
Ain't gonna be treated this waySomebody help me get on away from here
Lord, help me get on away from here
Won't you help me get on away from here, Lord, Lord
I don't want to be treated this way'Cause I'm goin' down the road feelin' bad
Yes I'm goin' down the road feelin' bad
Goin' down the road feelin' bad, Lord, Lord
Don't want to be treated this way
Going down the road feeling bad, honey babe, LordBig Bill Broonzy's version from 1957 on "The Roots Of Bob Dylan" is:
Going down the road feeling bad, honey babe, Lord
Going down the road feeling bad
And I don't want to be treated this a wayGirl I love done turned her back on me, honey babe, Lord
Girl I love done turned her back on me, honey babe, Lord
Girl I love done turned her back on me
And I don't want to be treated this a wayThought I heard a lonesome whistle blow, honey babe, Lord
Thought I heard a lonesome whistle blow, honey babe, Lord
Thought I heard a lonesome whistle blow
And I don't want to be treated this a way
Goin' down this road now feelin' bad, baby
I'm goin' down this road feelin' so low and bad
I ain't gonna be treated this-a wayI'm tired o'eatin' your corn bread and beans, baby
I'm tired o'eatin' your corn bread and beans, right now
I ain't gonna be treated this-a wayThese two dollar shoes is killin' my feet, baby
Two dollar shoes is killin' my feet, right now
I ain't gonna be treated this-a wayTake ten dollar shoe to fit my feet, baby
Ten dollar shoe to fit my feet, right now
I ain't gonna be treated this-a wayI'm goin' down this road feelin' bad, baby
I'm goin' down this road feelin' so miserable and bad
I ain't gonna be treated this-a wayI'm goin' where the chilly wind don't blow, baby
I'm goin' where the chilly wind don't blow, no more
I ain't gonna be treated this-a wayI'm goin' where the weather suites my clothes, baby
I'm goin' where the weather suites my clothes, tomorrow
I ain't gonna be treated this-a wayI'm goin' down this road now, darlin', feelin' bad, baby
Goin' down this road feelin' so low and bad
I ain't gonna be treated this-a way
Further Information
For an online discussion of the lyrics to this song see the deadsongs.vue conference on The Well.
For more information on recordings see Matt Schofield's Grateful Dead Family Discography
For online chords and TAB see www.rukind.com
For sheet music, see:
Grateful Dead Authentic Guitar Classics Volume 2 (guitar TAB)
Hundred Year Hall songbook (guitar TAB)
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Source: https://www.whitegum.com/songfile/GOINGDOW.HTM
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