Last Fair Deal Gone Down
By: Robert Johnson

Original Performance: Robert Johnson
Written by: Robert Johnson

Live Versions:
  1. Last Fair Deal Gone Down
    Available on Harry Smith Project Live.
    Credits
    Smokey Hormel: Guitar (Acoustic Slide)
    Beck Hansen: Vocals
 
Lyrics:
Last Fair Deal Gone Down [Live version (a)]:

It's the last fair deal gone down
It's the last fair deal gone down
It's the last fair deal gone down, Good Lord
On that Rockport Island Road

My captain, he treats me so mean
My captain, he treats me so mean
My captain treats me so mean, Good Lord
On that Rockport Island Road

Ida Belle, don't you cry this time
Ida Belle, don't you cry this time
If you cry about a nickel, you'll cry about a dime
You would cry, but the money was mine

I love the way you do
I love the way you do
I love the way you do, Good Lord
On that Rockport Island Road

It's the last fair deal gone down
It's the last fair deal gone down
It's the last fair deal gone down, Good Lord
On that Rockport Island Road

I'm workin' my way back home
I'm workin' my way back home
I'm workin' my way back home, Good Lord
On that Rockport Island Road

Ida Belle, don't you cry this time
Ida Belle, don't you cry this time
If you cry about a nickel, you'll die about a dime
You would cry, but the money was mine

It's the last fair deal gone down
It's the last fair deal gone down
It's the last fair deal gone down, Good Lord
On that Rockport Island Road

On that Rockport Island Road
On that Rockport Island Road
 
The Song:

Beck played this famous blues song at a Harry Smith tribute concerts on April 25 and 26, 2001. In the past, he has admitted to not being too interested in Robert Johnson, though with the amazing talent and influence Johnson had (and Beck's love of the blues), that always surprised me. The truth came out tonight, when Beck admitted he was indeed fascinated with Johnson, but always found him intimidating to perform.

Originally, Johnson's "Last Fair Deal Gone Down" was not included on the legendary and influential 3-disc Harry Smith Folk Anthology, but on a more recent, sequel compilation.

In 2006, Beck's live version from one of the two tributes was released on a cd of performances culled from the concerts. It is definitely a terrific performance, with Smokey Hormel on slide guitar. Beck is really into the song, and its easily one of his best blues performances.
 
Live:

Played live 3 times:
Earliest known live version: April 25, 2001
Latest known live version: August 11, 2002

Beck also played "Last Fair Deal Gone Down" at his own concert on August 11 2002 in Ann Arbor, MI. Jack White from the White Stripes joined Beck to sing back-up and play some stomping blues slide guitar. Beck sang and played harmonica. It's really a great jam, and easily a highlight from the August tour.
 
Notes: