[Verse 1: Lead Belly]
Yonder come-a Miss Rosie—how in the world do you know?
Well, I know her by the apron and the dress she wore
Umb'rella on her shoulder, piece of paper in her hand
Well I'm going to ask the governor he turn a-loose my man

[Chorus: Lead Belly & The Golden Gate Quartet]
Let the midnight special shine a light on me
Let the midnight special shine it's ever-lovin' light on me

[Verse 2: Lead Belly]
When you gets up in the mornin', when that big bell ring
You go a-marchin' to the table, you see the same damn thing
Knife and fork are on the table, ain't nothin' in my pan
And if I said anything about it, have a trouble with the man

[Chorus: Lead Belly & The Golden Gate Quartet]
Let the midnight special shine a light on me
Let the midnight special shine it's ever-lovin' light on me

[Verse 3: Lead Belly]
Well, I went to the nation and the territo'
Well, I thought about a girl I love lived in Mexico

[Chorus: Lead Belly & The Golden Gate Quartet]
Let the midnight special shine a light on me
Let the midnight special shine it's ever-lovin' light on me
[Verse 3: Lead Belly]
If you ever go to Houston, boys you better walk right
And you better not squabble and you better not fight
Benson Crocker will arrest you, Eddie Boone will take you down
You can bet your bottom dollar, you're penitentiary-bound

[Chorus: Lead Belly & The Golden Gate Quartet]
Let the midnight special shine a light on me
Let the midnight special shine it's ever-lovin' light on me

[Verse 4: Lead Belly]
Well, jumpin' little Judy, she was a mighty fine girl
Well, Judy brought jumpin' to this whole round world
Well, she brought it in the mornin', just a while 'fore day
She brought me the news that my wife was dead
That started me to grievin' and holl'in' and cryin'
And I began to worry about my great long time

[Chorus: Lead Belly & The Golden Gate Quartet]
Let the midnight special shine a light on me
Let the midnight special shine it's ever-lovin' light on me