![Bruce Springsteen – Pay Me My Money Down – CDr (Single, Promo), 2006 [r7570111] | Discogs](https://i.discogs.com/Q3r1wsrri_O_ftz5smV5_nRbeMf3Q24vbxXeAayNrSo/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:400/w:400/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTc1NzAx/MTEtMTQ0OTc3NzI4/OS0zODg1LmpwZWc.jpeg)
About the song
“Pay Me My Money Down” by Bruce Springsteen is a rollicking, high-energy folk song that captures the essence of communal music-making and working-class solidarity. Featured on Springsteen’s 2006 album “We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions”, this track is a vibrant reinterpretation of a traditional American folk tune that has its roots in the work songs of African-American dockworkers in the Georgia Sea Islands. The album itself is a tribute to the legendary folk musician Pete Seeger, who popularized this and many other traditional songs during his career.
Released as part of the album on April 25, 2006, “Pay Me My Money Down” exemplifies Springsteen’s ability to bring new life to historical music. The song is a buoyant protest anthem, originally sung by laborers demanding fair wages for their hard work. With its infectious melody and call-and-response structure, it is a song designed for group participation, making it a perfect fit for Springsteen’s dynamic live performances with the Seeger Sessions Band, a group of skilled musicians playing a rich mix of acoustic instruments.
The album “We Shall Overcome” marked a departure from Springsteen’s usual rock sound, delving deeply into folk, gospel, and roots music traditions. With “Pay Me My Money Down,” Springsteen infuses the track with his signature passion and energy, transforming it into an exuberant celebration of resilience and defiance. The lively arrangement features a robust brass section, banjos, fiddles, and a pounding rhythm that evokes the communal spirit of a workers’ rally or a raucous barn dance.
Lyrically, the song is simple yet powerful, repeating the titular phrase, “Pay me my money down,” as a rallying cry for justice and fair treatment. Its origins reflect the struggles of laborers who often faced delayed or denied wages, a sentiment that remains relevant in discussions about economic justice today. By including this song in his repertoire, Springsteen connects contemporary audiences with the historical struggles of the working class, reinforcing his enduring commitment to social and political themes in his music.
The track’s impact is particularly potent in live settings. Springsteen’s performances of “Pay Me My Money Down” are known for their infectious energy, with audience members clapping, singing along, and even joining in on the call-and-response sections. These performances underscore the song’s enduring appeal as a communal anthem that transcends time and place.
In many ways, “Pay Me My Money Down” encapsulates Springsteen’s artistic mission on the “Seeger Sessions” project: to preserve and celebrate the rich heritage of American folk music while making it accessible and meaningful for modern audiences. By breathing new life into this timeless tune, Springsteen not only pays homage to the past but also reminds us of the enduring power of music as a tool for unity and change.
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Lyrics
I thought I heard the captain sayPay me my money downTomorrow is our sailing dayPay me my money downPay me, pay mePay me my money downPay me or go to jailPay me my money downAs soon as the boat was clear of the barPay me my money downHe knocked me down with a sparPay me my money downPay me, pay mePay me my money downPay me or go to jailPay me my money downWell, If I’d been a rich man’s sonPay me my money downI’d sit on the river and watch it runPay me my money downPay me, pay mePay me my money downPay me or go to jailPay me my money downI wish I was Mr. GatesPay me my money downThey’d haul my money in a cratePay me my money downPay me, pay mePay me my money downPay me or go to jailPay me my money downWell, forty nights, and nights at seaPay me my money downThat captain worked every last dollar outta mePay me my money downPay me, pay mePay me my money downPay me or go to jailPay me my money downPay me, pay mePay me my money downPay me or go to jailPay me my money downPay me, pay mePay me my money downPay me or go to jailPay me my money downPay me my money downPay me my money downPay me my money downPay me my money downPay me my money down