High John The Conqueror

Oh, no, Low John done done it again
Made off with the boss’ favorite pen
And wrote a note that said it all
Nailed it up on the parlor wall

By the power divested of me
I tell you, every one of you is free
Yes, consider it a royal decree
I declare a state of liberty!

So let the cotton go rotten
The Devil can have this plantation
In case you’ve forgotten
I was born the Prince of a nation

Oh, no, boss man, we won’t work no more
You bought yourself more than you bargained for
Whips just make me whistle Dixie down
And the hounds come around to bay with the sound

It was half past a holiday midnight
When the grey fog turned pale with fright
The insurrection surrounded that luxurious bed
Then slipped a noose around the master’s head

John the Conqueror stepped to the fore
And faced the master who lay on the floor
Well, here’s our papers, better make it right
Or you’ll be going out on a limb tonight

Oh, no, boss man, we won’t work no more
You bought yourself more than you bargained for
Whips just make me whistle Dixie down
And the hounds come around to bay with the sound

Cultivating mutiny under your boot
The unquiet is mighty silent
But our struggle is not mute
And every agitator that you shoot
Summons up a riot in tribal tribute
Man, when you come face to face with your fruit
You’ll see in what a swamp you settled your roots

Yes, I’m faster than that whip-cracking bastard
And that’s what makes the real master
But my curse is a slow, slow poison
Takes centuries to sink in
Under your children’s children’s skin

Oh, they’ll shuffle to jungle rhythms
They’ll howl at the moon
As they weigh out their freedom
By the mile, and by the tune
They’ll abandon your petty kingdoms
And sleep in till noon

Oh, no, boss man, we won’t work no more
You bought yourself more than you bargained for
Whips just make me whistle Dixie down
And the hounds come around to bay with the sound

Don’t y’know, little Pharoah
Anyone can swing the King’s lingo
They call me High John or John the Low
And I don’t kiss any man’s toe
So you can take your status quo
And stick it where the sun don’t glow
Yes, you can take your status quo
And stick it where the sun don’t glow

Oh, no, boss man, we won’t work no more
You bought yourself more than you bargained for
Whips just make me whistle Dixie down
And the hounds come around to bay with the sound