Sweet as John Hurt

I come from the bottom of the river Haw
 And if I knew a rounder, oh Lord, I knew them all
 I did fear for many a year the darkness in my mind
 Oh, I knew not a gentle way, nor how to be kind
 So I strode the winding road in the deep October wood
 One foot, another foot and the going was good
 I did fight many a night the darkness in my hand
 Oh, I was tired of meeting on the battlefield
 Now I'm sweet as John in the day's new light
 Now, sweet as John like a baby's crying
 I'm sweet as John like a wedding day
 Sweet as John, now I go this way
 I robbed a rich man and stole his gold tooth
 And I highballed the Yellow Dog clear to Yazoo
 John was gone from Babylon many years ago
 No more gypsy heart, hole in my soul
 I went down to Richmond-town to have myself a ball
 I spent all my silver, oh Lord, I blew it all
 To pacify my jealous mind, the rage in my heart
 Then I took to wandering, now I cannot sing this part
 Now I'm sweet as John in the day's new light
 Now, sweet as John like a baby's crying
 I'm sweet as John like a simple ring
 Sweet as John, now I go this way
 I saw those blackbirds strung out on a line
 Lord, how their little song did like to make me cry
 I was free in the wild country, heart beating like a drum
 No brother, no friend, no lover, no one
 So I found a little song, a song of my own
 To help lose the black map on my heart like a stone
 Now I drive the old red road in the deep and golden air
 And try to find my spirit in the small and the fair
 Now I'm sweet as John in the day's new light
 Now, sweet as John like a baby's crying
 I'm sweet as John like a simple ring
 Sweet as John, now I know my name