Dave Van Ronk
Dave Van Ronk
Dave Van Ronk
Dave Van Ronk
Dave Van Ronk
Dave Van Ronk
Dave Van Ronk
Dave Van Ronk
Dave Van Ronk
Dave Van Ronk
Dave Van Ronk
Dave Van Ronk
Dave Van Ronk
Dave’s powerful version of an American gospel song based on the Biblical figure of Samson, who was tricked by Delilah into letting her shave his hair, thus destroying his status as a Nazirite.
Dave likely learned this arrangement from Reverend Gary Davis, one of his biggest influences.
Read about Samson, read about his birth
Well, now, Samson was the strongest man who walked on Earth
Well, now, one day Samson was-a-walkin' along
He looked on the ground and saw an old jawbone
Well, he raised that bone, God knows, over his head
And when he was through ten-thousand was dead
If I had my way
If I had my way in this wicked world
If I had my way
I would tear this building down
Well, now, Samson and Delilah got attacked
Samson climbed up upon that lion's back
Well, you read about this lion, killed a man with his paws
But Samson got his hand around that lion's jaws
Well, he rode that beast until he killed him dead
And the bees made honey in the lion's head
If I had my way
If I had my way in this wicked world
If I had my way
I would tear this building down
Well, Delilah was a woman, she was fine and fair
She had lovely looks, God knows, and coal black hair
Well, Delilah come into Samson's mind
The first he saw this woman of the Philistines
Well, Delilah climbed up on Samson's knee
Said tell me where your strength lies if you please
Well she talked so fine, God knows, she talked so fair
Well, now, Samson said "Delilah, you can shave my hair
You can shave my hair, just as clean as your hand
And my strength will be that of a natural man"
If I had my way
If I had my way in this wicked world
If I had my way
I would tear this building down
If I had my way
If I had my way in this wicked world
If I had my way
I would tear this building down
Dave Van Ronk released Samson and Delilah on Sat Nov 24 1962.