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