Well, you wake up in the morning, hear the dingdong ring
Ya go marchin' to the table, ya see the same old things
All on one table, knife, a fork and a pan
And it ya say a thing about it, you're in trouble with the man

Chorus:
Oh, let the Midnight Special shine her light on me
Let the Midnight Special shine her ever-lovin' light on me

Oh, if you ever go to Houston, oh, man, ya better walk right
Ya better not stagger, Lord knows, you'd better not fight
Sheriff he'll arrest you, he'll carry ya down
And if the jury finds ya guilty, you're penitentiary boun'

(Chorus)
"O yonder comes Miss Rosie!" "How in the world do ya know?"
"Well, I knowed her by her apron and the dress she wore
Umbrella on her shoulder, a piece of paper in her han'
She goes a-walkin' to the captain, said, 'Turn loose my man!'"

(Chorus)
Well, I'm goin'-a leave you, and my time ain't long
I'll be done wi' my grievin' and my great long song

(Chorus)