You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover

Lyrics: Willie Dixon
Music: Willie Dixon

Performed once by Jerry Garcia and Howard Wales on 26 January 1972. That version seems to start with a "Bo Diddley" verse - it was Bo Diddley who originally had a hit with "You Can't Judge A Book". Also covered by the New Riders of the Purple Sage.

Bo Diddley, Bo Diddley, where you been
Been down the river and I'm going again
[Hanna, Hanna,] have you heard
[?] word

You can't judge a book (note 1)
By looking at a tree
You can't judge honey
By looking at a bee
You can't judge one
By looking at the other
And you can't judge a book
By looking at the cover

Chorus
Can't you see
You misjudge me
I look like a farmer
But I'm a lover
You can't judge a book
By looking at the cover

You can't judge honey
By looking at a bee
You can't judge baby
By looking at a tree
You can't judge one
By looking at the other
And you can't judge a book
By looking at the cover

[chorus]

You can't judge an apple
By looking at the tree
You can't judge honey
By looking at a bee
You can't judge one
By looking at the other
And you can't judge a book
By looking at the cover

[chorus]
Notes
(1) that's what was sung, but clearly a mistake for "You can't judge an apple ..." - which he eventually gets to in the third verse.

The New Riders version is:
You can't judge an apple
By looking at the tree
You can't judge honey
By looking at the bee
You can't judge a sister
By looking at the brother
You can't judge a book
By looking at the cover

Chorus
Well can't you see
You misjudge me
I may look like a farmer
But I'm a lover
Can't judge a book
By looking at the cover

You can't judge a school
By looking at the teacher
You can't judge a church
By looking at the preacher
You can't judge one
By looking at the other
Can't judge judge a book
By looking at the cover

[chorus]
The full Bo Diddley version is as follows:
You can't judge an apple
By looking at the tree
You can't judge honey
By looking at the bee
You can't judge a daughter
By looking at the mother
And you can't tell the book
By looking at the cover

Chorus
Now can't you see
You misjudge me
I look like a farmer
But I'm a lover
So you can't judge a book
By looking at the cover

You can't judge the sugar
By looking at the cane
You can't judge a woman
By looking at her man
You can't judge the sister
By looking at her brother
You can't judge a book
By looking at the cover

[chorus]

You can't judge the fish
By looking at the pond
You can't judge the right
By looking at the wrong
You can't judge one
By looking at another
You can't judge a book
By looking at the cover

[chorus]
New Riders Recordings
     Date Album
     Fall 1982 Live (1982)

 


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