I know I ripped his concert in Vancouver last summer pretty hard, but that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate “The Boss.”
By way of the Rock and Rap Confidential listserv:
New Bruce Springsteen Recording!
Click on the link below to hear Bruce Springsteen’s version of “How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live?” (New Orleans ’06). This version comes from one of the tour rehearsals with the Seeger Sessions Band in Asbury Park and is straight off of the soundboard.
Based on the response from the four Asbury Park shows, this is already emerging as a fan favorite.
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Read Bruce’s personal thoughts on the song below:
This song was written by Blind Alfred Reed and recorded a month after the crash of ’29 that heralded the Great Depression. I first heard it on Ry Cooder’s self – titled debut album (1970). To his arrangement we owe a debt. I kept the “doctor” first verse by Reed then wrote three others with a mind to the great trials the people of New Orleans have faced this year.
Here are the full lyrics:
Well, the doctor comes ’round here with his face all bright
And he says “in a little while you’ll be alright”
All he gives is a humbug pill, a dose of dope and a great big bill
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live?
He says “me and my old school pals had some might high times down here
And what happened to you poor black folks, well it just ain’t fair”
He took a look around gave a little pep talk, said “I’m with you” then he took a little walk
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live?
There’s bodies floatin’ on Canal and the levees gone to Hell
Martha, get me my sixteen gauge and some dry shells
Them who’s got got out of town
And them who ain’t got left to drown
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live?
I got family scattered from Texas all the way to Baltimore
And I ain’t got no home in this world no more
Gonna be a judgment that’s a fact, a righteous train rollin’ down this track
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live?
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