Samson And Delilah

Grateful Dead

About Samson And Delilah

"Samson and Delilah" is a traditional song based on the Biblical tale of Samson and his betrayal by Delilah. Its best known performer is perhaps the Grateful Dead, who first performed the song live in 1976, with guitarist Bob Weir singing lead vocals. It was frequently played live by the Dead. The 1977 album Terrapin Station featured a studio recording of the song. Although Weir learned the song from Reverend Gary Davis, several earlier versions had been recorded under various titles, including "If I Had My Way I'd Tear the Building Down"/"Oh Lord If I Had My Way" by Blind Willie Johnson in 1927. Rev. Gary Davis's recording can be heard on the compilation album The Music Never Stopped: Roots of the Grateful Dead. The song has since been performed by a wide variety of artists ranging from Elizabeth Cook, Bob Dylan, Charlie Parr, Dave Van Ronk, Ike and Tina Turner, Clara Ward, Dorothy Love Coates & The Gospel Harmonettes, to Peter, Paul and Mary, The Washington Squares, The Blasters, Willie Watson, and Bruce Springsteen and the Seeger Sessions Band (in Verona, Italy 2006). Garbage frontwoman Shirley Manson's version appeared in the second season premiere episode (also titled "Samson and Delilah") of the Fox television show Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, in which Manson was also a main cast member. Art Greenhaw recorded a version with The Jordanaires and Larry "T-Byrd" Gordon, which was released in 2005. 


Year:
2018
9:10
25 
#1

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If I had my way, I would tear this old building down.

Well Delilah was a woman, she was fine and fair,
She had good looks, God knows, and coal black hair,
Delilah she gained old Samson's mind.
When first he saw this woman, you know he couldn't believe his mind.

Delilah she climbed up on Samson's knee,
Said tell me where your strength lies if you please.
She spoke so kind and she talked so fair,
Well Samson said, Delilah cut off my hair.

You can shave my head, clean as my hand
And my strength will become as natural as any old man.

If I had my way, if I had my way, if I had my way,
I would tear this old building down.

You read about Samson, all from his works,
He was the strongest man that ever had lived on earth.
One day when Samson was walking along,
Looked down on the ground, he saw an old jawbone.

He stretched out his arm, God knows, chains broke like thread,
When he got to moving, ten thousand was dead.

If I had my way, if I had my way, if I had my way,
I would tear this old building down.

Now Samson and the lion, they got in a tack,
Samson he crawled up on the lion's back.
You read about this lion, he killed a man with his paws,
But Samson got his hands around that lion's jaws.

He ripped the beast till he killed him dead.
The bees made honey in the lion's head.

If I had my way, if I had my way, if I had my way,
I would tear this old building down.

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Grateful Dead

The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in Palo Alto, California. The band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, improvisational jazz, psychedelia, and space rock, and for live performances of long musical improvisation. "Their music," writes Lenny Kaye, "touches on ground that most other groups don't even know exists." These various influences were distilled into a diverse and psychedelic whole that made the Grateful Dead "the pioneering Godfathers of the jam band world." They were ranked 57th in the issue The Greatest Artists of all Time by Rolling Stone magazine. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 and their Barton Hall Concert at Cor… more »

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Written by: REV. GARY DAVIS

Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Artist's Performance
"Samson and Delilah" is one of the most beloved performances by Grateful Dead. Often played during the second set of concerts, it became a high-energy favorite among fans and band members alike.
Songwriter
Although popularized by Grateful Dead, "Samson and Delilah" is originally a traditional Gospel blues song written and recorded by the ordained minister and blues musician, Rev. Gary Davis.
Style Adaptation
Grateful Dead dynamically reworked the song, adding their own distinctive rock 'n' roll flair to the original Gospel blues style. The band's rendition represented their fusion of diverse genres, from folk and blues to psychedelic rock.
Lyrics' Narrative
The song's lyrics adapt the biblical story of Samson and Delilah from the Book of Judges. The story is about the betrayal of Samson by his lover Delilah, who cuts his hair thus removing his strength.
Grateful Dead's Lead Vocalist
Generally sung by Grateful Dead's rhythm guitarist, Bob Weir, "Samson and Delilah" showcases his vocal ability and musical diversity, as he effortlessly switches from rhythm guitar to lead vocals.
Song's Musicianship
Apart from Weir, key components of the song’s success in the band's version include Phil Lesh's dynamic bass, Jerry Garcia's soaring lead guitar, and the driving rhythm provided by drummers Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart.
Rev. Gary Davis' Legacy
The song's legacy has a deeper root in Rev. Gary Davis' influential career. The blind blues musician, known for his fingerpicking guitar style, has inspired countless artists such as Bob Dylan, and naturally, Grateful Dead.
Rev. Gary Davis' Version
In the original Davis version, the song takes on a solemn, introspective tone with his intricate guitar playing and passionate, raw vocals. Davis’ religious emphasis brings forth a spiritual depth in the song's narrative that later versions also try to capture.
Song’s Stage Debut
Grateful Dead first performed "Samson and Delilah" on June 3, 1976, at the Paramount Theatre in Portland, Oregon. The song soon became a setlist staple for the band.
Live Recordings
"Samson and Delilah" was a fixture in Grateful Dead's live shows but was never officially recorded in a studio by the band. However, live performances of the song have been preserved in the band's numerous live albums and bootleg recordings.

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