Roll On, John Songtext / Lyric

Doctor, doctor Explaintell me the time of day

Another bottle's empty, another penny spent

He turned around and he slowly walked away

They shot him in the back and down he went



Shine your light

Movin' on

You burned so bright

Roll on, John



From the Liverpool docks to the red-light Hamburg streets

Down in the quarry with the quarrymen

Playing to the big crowds, playing to the cheap seats

Another day in the life on your way to your journey's end



Shine your light

Movin' on

You burned so bright

Roll on, John






Sailin' through the trade winds bound for the South

Rags on your back just like any other slave

They tied your hands and they clamped your mouth

Wasn't no way out of that deep dark cave



Shine your light

Movin' on

You burned so bright

Roll on, John



I heard the news today, oh boy

They hauled your ship up on the shore

Now the city gone dark, there is no more joy

They tore the heart right out and cut him to the core



Shine your light

Movin' on

You burned so bright

Roll on, John



Put on your bags and get 'em packed

Leave right now, you won't be far from wrong

The sooner you go the quicker you'll be back

You've been cooped up on an island far too long



Shine your light

Movin' on

You burned so bright

Roll on, John



Slow down you're moving way too fast

Come together right now over me

Your bones are weary, you're about to breathe your last

Lord, you know how hard that it can be



Shine your light

Movin' on

You burned so bright

Roll on, John



Roll on, John, roll through the rain and snow

Take the right-hand road and go where the buffalo roam

They'll trap you in an ambush before you know

Too late now to sail back home



Shine your light

Movin' on

You burned so bright

Roll on, John



Tyger, tyger burning bright

I pray the Lord my soul to keep

In the forests of the night

Cover 'em over and let him sleep



Shine your light

Movin' on

You burned so bright

Roll on, John