Traditional - Brother John Is Gone

First performance: 14/06/1981

Coverinfo

Bruce covered the song only once: 
 
 
1981-06-14 Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA 
 
Fourth annual Survival Sunday anti-nuclear benefit with Jackson Browne and Gary U.S. Bonds as well as Springsteen. After an introduction by Ron Kovic, Bruce begins with a solo "This Land Is Your Land", before being joined by Jackson Browne on an acoustic duet of "The Promised Land" and by Gary U.S. Bonds on a full-band duet on "Jolé Blon", Bruce's first ever performance of the song in the U.S. The five-hour-plus extravaganza closes with the traditional gospel number "Brother John Is Gone", with all artists on stage (Bruce's first ever performance of the song). According to press reports, Springsteen led the all-purpose backup band through "Cadillac Ranch" in the soundcheck. Ronald Reagan's younger daughter Patti Davis speaks at the event, as does Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Bonnie Raitt, Graham Nash, Stephen Stills, Nicolette Larson, Kenny Rankin, Timothy Schmit, Peter Yarrow, The Chambers Brothers & The Chambers Family Choir, Father Guido Sarducci, and The Hollywood Rock 'N Roll Revue (the evening's house band) also perform.
 
 
 
 
 

Songinfo

Other cover versions

Bruce on the artist

Lyrics

(Traditional)
by Neville Brothers
Brother John is gone

I remember the mornin`, I remember it well (Brother John is gone)
I remember the mornin´ that my Brother John fell (Brother John is gone)
He was a mighty man with a heart of steel (Brother John is gone)
and he never would bow and he never would kneel (Brother John is gone)

I`m gonna talk about my brother John (brother) my brother John (brother)
Brother John is gone
I say my brother John (brother) my brother John (oh brother)
Brother John is gone

Oh boy he died on the battlefield (Brother John is gone)
and the rest of his gang won`t bow, they won`t kneel (Brother John is gone)
He set a mighty goody fire on a mardi gras day (Brother John is gone)
and whoever wasn't ready better get out the way (Brother John is gone)

He was mighty brave when he sang his song (Brother John is gone)
and the rest of his gang they still carry on (Brother John is gone)
He sang "jacomo feena, ah feena nay" (Brother John is gone)
and he always sang like it's mardi gras day (Brother John is gone)