Root Hog And Die

(album: Ballads Of Sacco & Vanzetti - 1960)

Root hog and die, friend, root hog and die
Gotta get to Boston, root hog and die
Sacco and Vanzetti die at sundown tonight
So I've got to get to Boston, root hog and die

Train wheel can roll me, cushions can ride
Ships on the oceans, planes in the skies
Storms they can come, Lord, flood waters rise
But I've got to get to Boston, or two men'll die

Root hog and die, friend, root hog and die
Gotta get to Boston, root hog and die
Sacco and Vanzetti die at sundown tonight
So I've got to get to Boston, root hog and die

Nicola Sacco, a shoe factory hand
Bartolomo Vanzetti, a trade union man
Judge Webster Thayer swore they'll die
But I've got to get to Boston, 'fore sundown tonight

Root hog and die, friend, root hog and die
Gotta get to Boston, root hog and die
Sacco and Vanzetti die at sundown tonight
So I've got to get to Boston, root hog and die

I might walk around, an' I might roll or fly
Walking down this road shoulder, tears in my eyes
They never done a wrong in their lives
But Judge Webster Thayer says they must die

Root hog and die, friend, root hog and die
Gotta get to Boston, root hog and die
Sacco and Vanzetti die at sundown tonight
So I've got to get to Boston, root hog and die

Well, some come to Boston to see all the sights
Some come to Boston to drink and to fight
Sacco and Vanzetti told the workers "Organize!"
So Judge Webster Thayer says they must die

Root hog and die, friend, root hog and die
Gotta get to Boston, root hog and die
Sacco and Vanzetti die at sundown tonight
So I've got to get to Boston, root hog and die

Oh, Mr. Wagon Driver, please let me ride
That's a nice-pacing team that you got here all right
Did you ever hear such a thing in your life?
Judge Webster Thayer killing two men tonight

Root hog and die, friend, root hog and die
Gotta get to Boston, root hog and die
Sacco and Vanzetti die at sundown tonight
So I've got to get to Boston, root hog and die

Hey, Mr. Engineer, lemme ride your train
Throw in your coal an' steam up your steam
If I can't ride the shack, please lemme ride the blind
Got to get to Boston 'fore sundown tonight

Root hog and die, friend, root hog and die
Gotta get to Boston, root hog and die
Sacco and Vanzetti die at sundown tonight
So I've got to get to Boston, root hog and die