Ain't No More Cane
The Band, Bob Dylan
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Ain't no more cane on the Brazos Oh, oh, oh-oh It's all been ground down to molasses Oh, oh, oh-oh You shoulda been on the river in ninteen-and-ten Oh, oh, oh-oh They were driving the women just like they drove the men Oh, oh, oh-oh Go down old Hannah, don'cha rise no more Oh, oh, oh-oh Don't you rise up til Judgment Day is for sure Oh, oh, oh-oh Ain't no more cane on the Brazos Oh, oh, oh-oh It's all been ground down to molasses Oh, oh, oh-oh Captain, don't you do me like you done poor old Shine Oh, oh, oh-oh Well ya drove that bully 'till he went stone blind Oh, oh, oh-oh Wake up on a lifetime, hold up your own head Oh, oh, oh-oh Well you may get a pardon and then you might drop dead Oh, oh, oh-oh Ain't no more cane on the Brazos Oh, oh, oh-oh It's all been ground down to molasses Oh, oh, oh-oh
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Written by: AMY HELM, ANTHONY LEONE, BYRON ISAACS, FIONA MCBAIN, GLENN PATSCHA, UNKNOWN PD WRITER
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
8 facts about this song
Song Background"Ain't No More Cane" is a traditional American folk song. Though officially recorded by the artists Bob Dylan, Lyle Lovett and The Band, its origins are rooted in the work songs of African American prisoners in the Southern United States, primarily Texas.
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Lyrical ThemeThe song essentially portrays the hardships and misery of prisoners who worked in the fields cutting sugar cane. The lyrics also imply a deeply embedded commentary on the American prison system and labor conditions.
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Bob Dylan's VersionBob Dylan, known for his folk and blues influences, included his rendition of "Ain't No More Cane" on "The Basement Tapes" album. This album, released in 1975, was primarily a bootleg collection of informal recordings done in 1967, though the song was not included in the original issue.
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The Band's ContributionThe Band, who played with Bob Dylan on many occasions including during his controversial 'electric' phase, also appears on Dylan's version of "Ain't No More Cane." The Basement Tapes were actually recorded in the basement of a house called 'Big Pink' where members of The Band lived.
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Lyle Lovett’s CoverLyle Lovett, a famous country singer, covered "Ain't No More Cane" in his album "Step Inside This House" in 1998. His version stayed true to the original folk song but added his own distinctive Texas country touch to it.
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Historical PopularityThough not a mainstream commercial success, "Ain't No More Cane" has been covered by a variety of artists across several music genres, testament to its impressive longevity and cultural significance. This includes versions by Lead Belly, Robert Earl Keen, and the Texas Tornados.
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Presence in MoviesThe song also made its cultural impact within the film industry. A modified version of "Ain't No More Cane" was featured in the Coen Brothers' film "O Brother, Where Are Thou?" In the film, it is performed by prisoners who are working in a field, echoing the song's original historical context.
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Impact on Music and SocietyEmbodying raw emotions and depicting the harsh realities of penal labor, "Ain't No More Cane" continues to be an important piece in the repertoire of American folk music. Its narrative offers deep insights into the life and struggles of African American prisoners in the past, enriching our understanding of American history.
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"Ain't No More Cane Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/30084502/The+Band/Ain%27t+No+More+Cane>.
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