John Martyn - Rock Salt And Nails Lyrics






On the banks of the river
Where the willow hangs down
On the wild washing waters

Low mourning sound
Down in the hollow
Where the water runs cold
It was there I first listened
To the lies that you told

Now I lie on my bed
And I see your sweet face
The past I remember
Time can't erase
The letter you wrote me
Was written in shame
And I know that your conscience
Still echoes my name

Now the nights are so alone
And my sorrow runs deep
And nothing is worse for you and me
One more night without sleep
I woke up alone
I take a look at my sky
Too empty to sing
Too lonely to cry

If you ladies were blackbirds
And you ladies were thrushes
I'd lie there for hours
In them cold chilly marshes
But if ladies were squirrels
With them high bushy tails
I'd fill up my shotgun
With rock, salt and nails

If you ladies were squirrels
With them high bushy tails
I would load up my shotgun
With rock, salt and nails
If you ladies were squirrels
With high bushy tails
I'd fill up my shotgun
With rock, salt and nails

I'd fill up my shotgun
With rock, salt and nails
Fill up my shotgun
With rock, salt and nails





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John Martyn Rock Salt And Nails Comments
  1. D.... C....

    Never ever forget this man...saw him many times....please if you don’t know his music investigate his music ....thanks John

  2. O.... W....

    1:20 when you stub your toe

  3. W.... Z....

    wohl das emotionalste an Stimme und Seele ws ich je gehört habe eine Legende ich hab Ihn erst vor einem Jahr gefunden ich höre Ihn jeden Tag wenn ich mit meinen Hunden Meer laufen gehe ich höre jede Silbe seiner Worte ich liebe Ihn diesen großartigen Musiker

  4. P.... C....

    Several years ago, my brother could meet with him after a show and he accepted to show him some things an tricks on his guitar...

  5. J.... B....

    Hello. Absolutely love John. I wonder if you know if this concert is for sale as a download or DVD. I would like to own the whole show. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, John.

  6. r.... t....

    still one of the best in my book, no competition so far

  7. D.... B....

    Let's hear it for the band as well...

  8. J.... R....

    Joe Cocker? No. This is just pure class! John was so special.

  9. H.... S....

    Miss you John...

  10. G.... ....

    Too lonely to cry ............

  11. D.... F....

    Stunning, not many guys could tackle some of the stuff he did and still appear genuine, but he could. Which other white man could've delivered 'Strange Fruit' with his credibility in tact?

  12. P.... P....

    On the banks of the river, where the willows hang down,
    Where the wild birds all warble with a low moaning sound,
    Down in the hollow where the water runs cold,
    It's there I have listened to the lies that you told.

    Now I lie on my bed and I see your sweet face.
    The past I remember, time cannot erase.
    The letters you wrote me were written in shame,
    And I know that your conscience still echos my pain.

    Now the nights are so long, my sorrow runs deep.
    Nothing is worse than a night without sleep.
    I walk out alone, I look at the sky,
    Too empty to sing, too lonesome to cry.

    Now if the ladies were blackbirds and the ladies were thrushes,
    I'd lie there for hours in the chilly cold marshes.
    If the ladies were squirrels with them high bushy tails,
    I'd fill up my shotgu

  13. R.... W....

    What we lost. I think one of the stranges part of life is knowing we only have the wonderful things for a while and it oftem is only a short while. It is said all the time but this man was a completely wonderful artist, we were su fortunate

  14. G.... T....

    will go down as one off the all time great artists .so so misted .

  15. j.... A....

    huge huge fan from the beginning to the end, saw him many times at different venues big and in local pubs, most of the time he was off his head - he was mega and so underrated.

  16. M.... M....

    After watching some of his early stuff tonight. This brings tears to the eyes. What a guy.

  17. P.... J....

    Phil Mitchell has let himself go!

  18. M.... W....

    New him from the Lord Nelson Pub when he lived in Hastings East Sussex UK in the 70's

  19. A.... G....

    The Work of a Genius 15 dislikes obviously dead from the head down more soul in that 5 minutes than 99 per cent of todays artists can muster

  20. D.... F....

    God bless ya John Martyn, love ya!

  21. r.... s....

    Jesus to sing like this and then spread a guitar as he did.What a wonderful artist.Thanks John for all the tingles. Youre missed

  22. N.... H....

    John, you always said that you chose the road and the vehicle. Well, I chose the artist and time i putting just to listen to you. Thank you for giving the world your amazing gift. May you rest in peace up there with a glass of beer and cheeky smile. Forever loving you.

  23. P.... J....

    Wonderful genius

  24. M.... ....

    12 people who vote for Trump - how the hell did they get in here?

  25. B.... M....

    Been listening to him since the early 70s, and in my humble opinion he was one of the greatest ever, and watching this, he matured like fine old brandy - beautiful - thanks John for all the years of pleasure

  26. H.... A....

    I miss you John

  27. j.... m....

    How can anyone give this thumbs down? Confused

    j.... m....

    I couldn't, and I can't get him a thumbs up either.
    It is eerily beautiful.

    j.... m....

    It must be an alien giving a thumbs down. Aliens have no soul or humanity. Good shout 👍

  28. C.... H....

    Best thing I heard for ages, John was a master.

  29. B.... ....

    Sublime.

    The reason this is so amazing is that John lived the life, no compromises. No clean living pop tart could bellow this with such realness.

    Bless him, we're so lucky to have all the fine music he gave us.

  30. h.... ....

    They laid Aretha Franklin to rest yesterday. She will be in good company. RIP to both.

  31. r.... H....

    you want emotion-well here it is-go back and see what this great crazy man did and who wanted to play and collaborate with him- by the way he still had it-do better and come and see me xx and by the way to
    be that ill and still do it

  32. P.... P....

    + That is one mean Tenor Sax!

  33. P.... P....

    Iain's vocal chords just got better n better as an instrument. God Rest ye auld fucker!!!

  34. A.... S....

    Beautiful. Moving.

  35. N.... L....

    SO SAD TO SE JOHN SO OVERWEIGHT BUT MAN STILL ADD IT

  36. H.... A....

    It makes me cry. I miss you so much John

  37. P.... P....

    he just kept evolving. Just looking at my ticket from the Lowry, 2 months b4 he passed, yes there are plenty of words, but none in my vocab that adequately describe John/Ian. Am having over the rainbow at my wake.

  38. D.... T....

    John, you brought joy to my life growing up, I saw you at the Candleriggs in Glasgow, amazing night, what a show, lives long in the memory... LOVE ya, you expressed your deep feelings in your music, thanks for sharing it with the world. It touched my heart and every friend that knew good music when they listened to you. Lord Jesus watch over your troubled but gifted son in Paradise.

  39. P.... P....

    White soul, surpasses even D Hall imo.

  40. P.... P....

    I often wonder, after Heaven and Earth, what else he would have been planning to treat us to.

  41. e.... c....

    Anyone who isn't moved by this performance must sad sad people, he was truly one of the greats.

  42. K.... N....

    SOUL!!!

  43. A.... G....

    Loved & listened to John Martyn since 1970..I can't bring myself to watch this...heartbreaking

  44. D.... D....

    https://davedick373.wordpress.com/2015/08/11/john-martyn-and-the-invisibility-of-live-music/

  45. G.... M....

    AWESOME!!! Such emotion is rare in a musician of his caliber. If you don't like this your soul died somewhere along the line.

  46. J.... H....

    He was a true artist and must have been lonesome in the wee hours and we can all be grateful he was able to rip his heart out and throw it at his feet for everyone to see. Some are facsimiles and others are originals and any debate which he was is a waste of time. RIP and I'm happy there are people like you who come along and lay it out there.

  47. P.... R....

    Miss you John, I saw you in Edinburgh in the 80's. Non replaced.

  48. P.... ....

    Absolutely love this guy, a true genius. RIP John Martyn

  49. L.... E....

    soul maybe

  50. P.... P....

    My old friend , a great musician on tenor , Martin Winning, worked with Van Morrison for many years and others . Wonderful sax player & you should hear him on clarinet

  51. J.... Q....

    Here's my beloved John Martyn singing that old song...

  52. L.... M....

    Thanks, Antony - Been listening to JM since the early 70's, but sadly, was never able to see him live. This vid's a great testament to a wonderful, highly gifted, madman of an artist. In a world far madder than you ever were, John, you are, and always will be missed. God bless.

  53. T.... M....

    This version just makes you just want to cry; sorely missed, there was, and still is, only one John Martyn!

  54. K.... J....

    vin diesel on drums, between steroid injections.

  55. �.... ....

    Beautiful music- sadly missed

  56. S.... S....

    The greatest European blues singer for 40 years ! We love you, pal ....

    S.... S....

    Check out mick roach from liverpool meantime good in blues huge raw vocal ❤🎧

  57. G.... F....

    Grande John!

  58. C.... T....

    Absolutely fucking magnificent!

  59. A.... ....

    What a pure soul.

  60. A.... ....

    Tears in my eyes again.

  61. R.... B....

    What an artist. True great.

  62. S.... ....

    Beautiful.......absolutely.

  63. S.... ....

    What a voice,what a talent. what a great loss....miss u Johnny.

  64. C.... P....

    Antony, is this from Live at the Roundhouse 2007? Do yo have the dvd? I can't seem to find it anywhere.

    C.... P....

    Yes it is Live at the Roundhouse. Bought it at Grace and Danger tour stop in Cardiff 2008.

    C.... P....

    Ok, thanks. I'll keep looking.

  65. J.... G....

    The good musicians gone too soon... RIP John
    You Are so Great ....

  66. t.... ....

    wow....

  67. J.... C....

    this is terrible

    J.... C....

    philip cooper- I wholeheartedly agree with your remark to the twattish J. climb.....

    J.... C....

    J Climb - away back to yer Steps records.

  68. U.... S....

    Sooo beautiful.

  69. V.... S....

    ....great man,with a beautiful heart and a wonderful voice.

    V.... S....

    What an amazing voice and back up music...

  70. b.... c....

    you truly were the real deal.thank you john

  71. M.... B....

    Probably the best gig I ever went to was to see John on a Tuesday night at the Telford's Warehouse Chester . . . 3hrs of bliss . . . He finished with this too. Bought him a glass of red wine in the interval. Go easy John. M x x x

    M.... B....

    I opened for him that night, '93?

    M.... B....

    Martin Pleass you said you opened for him in 1993.
    wow what is your name can I find you On YouTube

    M.... B....

    My name is Martin Pleass.

    M.... B....

    I saw him in Wolvehampton in about 1990, he did The Apprentice Tour. I went to the bar and walked back passed him he did May You Never and an acoustic set, it was the most magical experience i think of my life. He soured like an angel, it was unreal

  72. M.... V....

    Monsieur MartYn ... ;o)))))))

  73. M.... V....

    Merci Monsieur Martin.

  74. G.... T....

    fair play to ben howard for doing a cover of this great great artist a pity more would not do the same we wont see his like again.

  75. S.... C....

    seems like yesterday watching him at the colston hall he was great

  76. j.... P....

    The emotion in this is incredible. A great rework of Utah Philips great song. The hurt only love can bring.

  77. D.... D....

    RIP sir couln't love you more

  78. P.... C....

    Pure soul, the pain and suffering this man has endured has to be worth the respect its deserved.....and boy could he play guitar.....no one will ever be ljke him.
    RIP.......the acoustic guitar guru..........i too shed a tear....

  79. m.... ....

    i`m listen 99 percent of my time to bob dylan but this makes me cry
    so incredibly beautiful

    m.... ....

    haha...me too...Im a Dylan boy...but saw John twice...and I'm having a Daryl Hall month at the moment...but fuk me, John was The Man.

  80. J.... K....

    What a genius John Martyn was & how sad to see him "in this state" !

    J.... K....

    +John Knottenbelt Yes sad indeed, but he lived life to the fullest, warts and all, and that was part of what made him the genius he was. Had the pleasure of seeing him many times over a long period of time, from the late 70's to what was probably one of his very last, if not final show just a few short months before he passed away. RIP John, gone but never forgotten.

    J.... K....

    +John Knottenbelt > In support of my statement (above). It was not said in criticism, but rather in sadness of his state before passing away. I was fortunate to have met John by chance in 1974 whilst I was in London. I didn't know him at that stage. We merely "met" & spent a few hours in wonderful private company. I thought that he was a fine person & still do. We all have our "Angels / Demons" & eccentricity. I still treasure the time we had together, chatting aboytr many things, excluding "his music". As I said, I didn't know about his musical prowess at the time. RIP you weaver of wonderful images & sounds.

  81. R.... R....

    Amazing performance, he always done this song so well but this truly SOULFUL

  82. S.... D....

    A hard living man who exposed everything he was, and was not, in his recordings and performances. A truly authentic street musician who gained fame and the ineffable, due to his sheer talent and the extraordinary beauty in so much of his music. He never backed away from his life experiences and there is much, so much to learn from his legacy.

    S.... D....

    couldn't agree with you more mate. I saw john 6/7 times and got stoned with him & the band Newcastle city hall well kept secret tour. I miss him like I miss my dear departed best friend and well up every time I hear him!

    S.... D....

    It seems we, as fans usually can only get a glimpse of people with such enigmatic charm through their Music. However, with John Martyn we actually got a real opportunity to see him warts and all and it only endears us all the more to him. In some way, almost any musician can see a spiritual kinship with this Man, his sensitivity, his brashness and real toughness yet at the same time, his honesty and fairness.He forgave himself for his failings with Humour and Grace and we can take some measure of comfort from the knowledge he seemed to know his Legacy was Fairly well laid down, and that he would despite his wild ways, be judged on his Music. As it should be and what music it is.Listen and be moved!

    S.... D....

    +Scooby Doh the only musician songwriter I know that bared his absolute soul through his music. a truly honest man who wasn't scared to voice his opinion good or bad. a sad loss to his fans

    S.... D....

    where was this filmed x

  83. W.... N....

    Jesus wept I remember working with this bitch just look at the gut  to much self belief fatty

  84. r.... d....

    To all who criticized this performance go back to your exciting life and do nothing with it. He bought and paid for his condition. Your last performance is going to be different from your first performance, not worse, not better, different. He lived it.

    r.... d....

    bigjeffmorris good on you mate miss the oldgenius

    r.... d....

    Chill out mate. Ya can still love someone while criticising them. In fact one who truly loves, criticises. This is a bad performance. John should not have let his talents fade to this degree. To not recognise that isn't really loving the man in my opinion. This is sad.

    r.... d....

    Edward Amadeus Alexander open your ears straight man

    r.... d....

    @Edward Amadeus Alexander This was a spectacular performance. This man was a genius all his life.

    r.... d....

    You're right it's sad, it's a sad performance, of a very poignant sad song.....and for anyone who has experienced that and who sings perhaps they'll get it...he did...and so do I.

  85. D.... B....

    WOW!!!!!!! Truly, truly amazing . Thank you so much for posting this video on You Tube.

  86. T.... ....

    Wow! WOw WOW!!! This song is so beautiful and fragile that it hurts to to listen to it. Thank you for posting this.

  87. J.... W....

    If the stars of the great bear could sing they would sound like this, he will always be missed.

    J.... W....

    I love this comment.

    J.... W....

    @Jamie Walton great minds think a like " Am in process of finishing a Robert Johnston painting not been easy full body with guitar."

    J.... W....

    @Julia Whitelaw I love Robert Johnsons music.

    J.... W....

    Love this comment too. Poetic and true..

    J.... W....

    Thank you

  88. K.... B....

    Incredible version!

  89. J.... M....

    An inestimable talent. What a band. Privileged to have heard this line up live (without sax) and John sang this. O lord what soul.

  90. A.... T....

    just amazing

  91. h.... ....

    How to cover a song and make it your own......

  92. g.... ....

    Simply beautiful.

  93. B.... T....

    I've always loved Steve Young's cover of this classic song, but this is so haunting...takes the song to a whole new level. What a great performance. Cheers for uploading this.

  94. M.... ....

    OM.R.I.P

  95. P.... G....

    Yeh got it ! Smart horn Martin

  96. k.... ....

    Bombastic!

  97. B.... M....

    Like an old mate coming to say hello...
    Rest easy Johnny boy...

  98. R.... K....

    I often wondered if John ever covered this cos his voice became so much like Levons. Cheers. Real music. For real people.

  99. R.... K....

    I often wondered if John ever covered this cos his voice became so much like Levons. Cheers. Real music. For real people.