This soulful sixteen bar blues was first recorded by Robert Johnson on November 27, 1936. The Gulf Port Island Railroad connected the docks at Ship Island, Mississippi, just off the mainland at the city of Gulfport on the Gulf of Mexico with the main line at Jackson.
It's the last fair deal goin' down,
The last fair deal goin' down,
It's the last fair deal goin' down, good Lord,
on that Gulfport Island Road
Ida Belle, don't cry this time.
Ida Belle, don't cry this time.
If you'd cry about a nickel, you'd die 'bout a dime.
She wouldn't cry, but the money, it weren't mine.
I like the way you do,
I love the way you do,
I love the way you do, good Lord,
On this Gulfport Island Road.
My captain's so mean on me,
My captain's so mean on me,
My captain's so mean on me, good Lord,
On this Gulfport Island Road.
(Now there is an incomprehensible verse)
It's the last fair deal goin' down,
It's the last fair deal goin' down,
It's the last fair deal goin' down, good Lord,
On this Gulfport Island Road
I'm workin' my way back home,
I'm workin' my way back home,
I'm workin' my way back home, good Lord,
On this Gulfport Island Road.
And that thing don't keep-a ringin' so soon,
That thing don't keep-a ringin' so soon,
And that thing don't keep-a ringin' so soon, good Lord,
On that Gulfport Island Road.
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