Up on Cripple Creek

Bob Dylan

When I get off of this mountain
You know where I want to go
Straight down the Mississippi river
To the Gulf of Mexico

To Lake Charles, Louisiana
Little Bessie, a girl that I once knew
And she told me just to come on by
If there's anything she could do


[Chorus]
Up on Cripple Creek she sends me
If I spring a leak she mends me
I don't have to speak she defends me
A drunkard's dream if I ever did see one

Good luck had just stung me
To the race track I did go
She bet on one horse to win
And I bet on another to show

Odds were in my favor
I had him five to one
When that nag to win came around the track
Sure enough he had won

[Chorus]

I took up all of my winnings
And I gave my little Bessie half
And she tore it up and blew it in my face
Just for a laugh

Now there's one thing in the whole wide world
I sure would like to see
That's when that little love of mine
Dips her doughnut in my tea

[Chorus]

Now me and my mate were back at the shack
We had Spike Jones on the box
She said, "I can't take the way he sings
But I love to hear him talk"

Now that just gave my heart a fall
To the bottom of my feet
And I swore as I took another pull
My Bessie can't be beat

[Chorus]

Now, it's hot in California
And up north it's freezing cold
And this living off the road
Is getting pretty old

So I guess I'll call up my big mama
Tell her I'll be rolling in
Bet you know, deep down, I'm kinda tempted
To go and see my Bessie again

[Chorus]


Lyrics submitted by Philadelphia Eagles, edited by Mellow_Harsher

Up on Cripple Creek song meanings
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6 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    i didnt know that dylan did this song i havent heard it, i thought it was written by "The Band"???? does anyone know how wrote this originally?

    Boothbyon December 06, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i'm pretty certain its a Band original.

    Kornoon February 15, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Bob dylan never did a verstion of this song, but hmm i think he might have done a good job... idk.

    Massimoon June 18, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is indeed an original by The Band and no not The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (although it is possible that they have covered it).

    TheJackofHeartson October 10, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Yes it was definitely written by Robbie Robertson of The Band in 1969. Case closed.

    zosokingon October 13, 2006   Link
  • -1
    General Comment

    If by The Band you mean The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, then yes.

    MattieCampon February 20, 2006   Link

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