Darrell Scott - Banjo Clark lyrics

Old Joe Clark he made his mark when cotton was king And late at night 'neath the shanty light you could hear that banjo ring It would ring out for the master who was listening on the hill And it would ring out for the babies who were sleeping quiet and still Round and round old Joe Clark Round and round, I say Round and round old Joe Clark until the break of day When he came out of the belly of that ship of slavery he was holding to his banjo but it was not on his knee And someone said, "Hey here's a strong one and he can entertain So we'll let you keep your banjo, but Clark's gonna be your name" Round and round old Joe Clark Play it when I say Round and round old Joe Clark or they'll carry you away Round and round He learned to play the melodies of Cork and county Claire He even played for Lincoln once, outside the courthouse square Then he went down to New Orleans, they call it Dixieland But everywhere that old Joe played, he was still a hired hand Round and round