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What Makes a Work Song Leader Lyrics by Alan Lomax

Negro Prison Blues And Songs

1958

[Alan Lomax is the interviewer, denoted Q; Bama, a prisoner is the interviewee, denoted A]
Q: [Do you think it] makes work easier when you sing?
A: Yessir
Q: Do you think you do more or, or do you think you can slack off when you sing?
A: No sir, what makes it go so better-when you're singin', you don't have your--you forget, you see, and the time just pass on 'way. But if you just get your mind devoted on one something, it look like it will be hard for you to make it, see--make a day--the day be longer, look like. So to get his mind--keep his mind from being devoted on just one thing, why he'll just practically take up singin', see.
Q: What do you think it takes to make a good leader, to make a good leadеr in a work song?
A: To make a good leader? In thе work? What you mean, boss?
Q: What's the most important thing about a good leader? Does he have to have a real good voice or a strong voice or what?
A: Well, now, it woudn't just exactly make any difference about the dependability of his voice or nothin' like that, boss, but it would, it take to, the man with the most experience to my understandin' to make the best leader in anything. See, if you'd bring a brand new man here, if could--had a voice where he could sing just like Peter could preach, and he didn't know what to sing about, well, he wouldn't do no good, see. But here's a fellow, he, maybe he ain't got no voice for singin', but he's been cooperatin', with peoples so long and been on the job so long till he know just exactly how it should go, and if he can just mostly talk it, where--and you understand how to work well, it would go good with you--it don't make any difference about his voice
Q: You mean he has to know the timing?
A: Yes, that's what it takes, the time, that's all it is. You can just whistle and uh, if you know the time and can stay in time with the axes, you can whistle and do, cut just as good as you can if you were singin'. But you have to be done experienced.
Credits
Alan Lomax

Alan Lomax

About “What Makes a Work Song Leader” by Alan Lomax

Read the complete lyrics to "What Makes a Work Song Leader" by Alan Lomax from the album "Negro Prison Blues And Songs" in 1958. On Lyrks you can follow along with the full text, explore the artist's discography, and discover related songs. The track is often categorized under Non-Music.

"What Makes a Work Song Leader" is performed by Alan Lomax. from the album "Negro Prison Blues And Songs" in 1958 This page provides the full lyric text for fans who want to sing along, study the songwriting, or compare versions across releases. Lyrks organizes lyrics by artist and song slug so you can bookmark and share a stable URL. Music lyrics help listeners connect with emotion, narrative, and rhythm in a track. Whether you are learning English, researching a favorite chorus, or preparing for karaoke, having accurate line breaks and section labels (verse, chorus, bridge) makes the experience easier. We link to the official artist profile on Lyrks where available, including biography snippets, top songs, and chart placements when we have that data. If you enjoy "What Makes a Work Song Leader", explore more songs by Alan Lomax using the links below. Chart and trending pages on Lyrks highlight what listeners are searching for this week. For copyright or correction requests, see our DMCA and contact pages.

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Frequently asked questions

"What Makes a Work Song Leader" is credited to Alan Lomax. Songwriting credits may include additional writers listed on the release; check the credits section on this page for linked collaborators.

"What Makes a Work Song Leader" appears on "Negro Prison Blues And Songs" in 1958.

Visit the Alan Lomax artist page at /artist/alan-lomax for biography, popular tracks, and links to more lyric pages.