Lyrics: Robert Hunter
Music: Robert Hunter
Rewritten extensively in the period between its first appearance in
Robert Hunter's solo peformances in 1981, and its recording in 1986 on
"Rock Columbia." On the album, the title is just "Kick It On", though in
"Box Of Rain" it is listed as "Kick It On Down."
One more midnight haul to the break of dayRobert Hunter said this about the song after playing it on 18 November 1981:
Bon temps to roll on - what do you say?
Just live once, so what the heck
We did it up and payed the check
Say, babe, hey, now, didn't we
(Didn't we)
Chorus
Kick it on down (kick it on down)
Kick it on down (kick it on down)
Kick it on down, down, down
Watch out!
Oh, what a night out on the town
We set 'em up and we knocked 'em down
Say babe (say babe)
Hey now, didn't we
Signed an IOU the day we met
Pay up when it's due with no regret
Burned our bridges one by one
But we crossed 'em when it's said and done
Hey, babe, say, now, didn't we
(Didn't we)
[chorus]
Gonna do it up, babe, while we can
Ask nobody's leave - don't give a damn
Did it up and we did it well
Just live once, so what the hell
Say, babe, hey, now, didn't we
(Didn't we)
[chorus]
"Well by gosh, that one almost works, doesn't it. It just occurred to me the other night. I'd written a couple of songs, that I'd sat down and was just playing with my guitar and I started getting this little pattern going of [plays lick]. And I said boy that would be fancy to play on stage, just get up there and go [plays lick]. Now could I maybe go write some words for it. Next thing I knew I had this thing called "Private Buck Jones" and I don't know who that was, but he definitely wanted to be in this song and what Private Buck Jones wanted to say was "Kick It On Down!" And all he wanted to say was "Kick It On Down, Down, Down, Down!" Well all right!"The lyrics sung on that occasion were very different:
You got something to disturb you, I can tell
Ain't nothing special, you just look like hell
Oh, oh [indistinct]
I'm Private Buck Jones, I'll take you home and kick it on down
Kick it on down, kick it in down
Kick it in down
I'm Private Buck Jones, ain't no call to kick it on home
Kick it on down, oh, blow your horn
I'm Private Buck Jones, I guess you know
Relax, I'll tell you where to go
Well the mountain's clear and the weather's fine
And the whiskey's running and wine
Private Cooper's always near your [?]
Kick it on down, kick it on down
Kick it on down, down, down, kick it on down
Kick it on down, down, down, hit Private Jones, don't kick it on home
Kick it on down, down, save one for me
You're looking somewhat better I declare
Ain't quite a smile yet, but I see it there
Baby, don't take me for a clown
I'm Private Buck Jones and I kick it on down
Any time I catch you in company and unaware
Kick it on down, kick it on down, kick it on down
Kick it on down, down, down, oh
Private Buck Jones, I ain't no call to kick it on home
Kick it on down, [ride my apple], blow your horn
Baby come on and kick it on down with me
I kicked it out of yours, it followed me
I've been kicking it all night long
A little bit of help wouldn't steer me wrong
Baby come over and kick it on down with me
Kick it on down, kick it on down
Baby, kick it on down with me
I'm Private Buck Jones, you ain't got no call to carry it home
Kick it on down, kick it on down
Kick it on down, kick it on down
Kick it on down, down, down, oh pardon me
But I'm Private Buck Jones, you ain't got no call but to kick in on home
Kick it on down, lawdy, blow your horn
| Robert Hunter Recordings | ||||
| Date | Album | |||
| 1986 | Rock Columbia | |||