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