4. Vigilante Man
(Guthrie)

Nice blues again. I'm sure Davy has taught me to like acoustic blues more and more. --Jore

A Woody Guthrie song about dustbowl, depression era America. I based my version on Ry Cooder's. I recall seeing him playing this live on TV on 'The Old Grey Whistle Test' c. 1973 - blew my mind. --Davy


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Have you seen that vigilante man?
Have you seen tha vigilante man?
Have you seen that vigilante man?
I've been hearin' his name all over the land.

Rainy nights down in the engine house,
Sleepin' just as still as a mouse,
A man came along and he chased us out in the rain.
Was that a vigilante man?

Well, I rambled around from town to town,
Now, I rambled around from town to town,
And they herded us around like a wild herd of cattle.
Was that the vigilante man?

Well, why does a vigilante man?
Tell me why does a vigilante man?
Carry that sawed-off shot-gun in his hand?
Would he shoot his brother and sister down?

Have you seen that vigilante man?
Have you seen that vigilante man?
Have you seen that vigilante man?
I've been hearin' his name all over the land.