Lyrics:

(Trad. arr Lonnie Donegan & Van Morrison)

Well, I wake up in the mornin' (haa)
When the ding-dong ring (hee)
Walk over to the table
Ya see the same old thing

Nothin' put upon the table
Nothin' in my pan, well
Says anything about it
I get (I'm) in trouble with the man

Let the midnight special
Shine a light on me
Let the midnight special
Shine an ever-lovin' light on me

If ya ever go to Houston
Ya better walk right
You better not stagger
And you better not fight

Or the sheriff gon' arrest you
Lord, an' carry you down
Then if the jury find you guilty
You're penitentiary bound

Well, let the midnight special
Shine a light on me
Let the midnight special
Shine an ever-lovin' light on me

Well, let the midnight special
Shine a light on me
Let the midnight special
Shine an ever-lovin' light on me

Brother Nicky!

(Instrumental and string solo)

A-yonder come Miss Rosey (oh yeah)
How in the world do ya know? (how d'ya know?)
Well, I know her by her apron (oh yeah)
And the dress she wore

Umbrella on her shoulder (woo)
Piece a paper in her hand-a
She's a-gonna tell the captain
To release her man

Let the midnight special
Shine a light on me
Let the midnight special
Shine an ever-lovin' light on me
(Me, yeah, yeah, yeah)

Let the midnight special (ooo)
Shine a light on me (Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord)
Let the midnight special

Shine it's ever-lovin' light on a-me

Ay!