Old Dan Tucker - Bruce Springsteen

Artist: Bruce Springsteen
Song: Old Dan Tucker
Year: 2006
Album: We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions

This is the only album by Bruce Springsteen consisting entirely of material that he did not write himself. These songs were written or made popular by folk artist Pete Seeger. The entire album is a breath of fresh air. Most of the songs have secret political influences, but the songs are both catchy and fun.

"Old Dan Tucker" dates back to at least 1843. It is theorized that the song became popular by word of mouth, with no actual lyrics written down. There are several different versions of the song floating around, which may be a result of its origins.

While it may seem that Bruce is branching out by including folk songs in his repertoire, he has been in this particular vein of music for awhile. As he has gotten older, his music has gravitated towards the folk side of music. If not in practice, then in theory. The only branching out Bruce is doing is releasing an entire album's worth of music that was not written by him.

"Old Dan Tucker" has its charms. The end result is an energetic performance that culminates in smiles for the artist and the listener. Bruce is letting us in on the joy of performing, rather than sharing another painful memory or rite of passage. In a way, these songs are a rite of passage. These songs are handed down from generation to generation. Now it is someone else's turn.

Lyrics:
One, two, three, four

Now old Dan Tucker was a fine old man
Washed his face in a fryin' pan
Combed his hair with a wagon wheel
And died with a toothache in his heel

Get out the way old Dan Tucker
You're too late to get your supper
Get out the way old Dan Tucker
You're too late to get your supper

Now old Dan Tucker come to town
Riding a billy goat, leading a hound
The hound dog barked and the billy goat jumped
And landed old Tucker on a stump

Get out the way old Dan Tucker
You're too late to get your supper
Get out the way old Dan Tucker
You're too late to get your supper

Now old Dan Tucker got drunk and fell
In the fire and kicked up holy hell
A red-hot coal got in his shoe
And oh my Lord the ashes flew

Get out the way old Dan Tucker
You're too late to get your supper
Get out the way old Dan Tucker
You're too late to get your supper

Come on!
Let it go!

Now Old Dan Tucker come to town
Swinging them ladies all round
First to the right then to the left
Then to the gal that he loved best

Get out the way old Dan Tucker
You're too late to get your supper
Get out the way old Dan Tucker
You're too late to get your supper
Get out the way old Dan Tucker
You're too late to get your supper
Get out the way old Dan Tucker
You're too late to get your supper