Credits
PERFORMING ARTISTS
Gil Scott-Heron
Vocals
Bernard Purdie
Drums
Brian Jackson
Electric Piano
Burt Jones
Electric Guitar
Johnny Pate
Conductor
Ron Carter
Bass
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Gil Scott-Heron
Songwriter
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Bob Simpson
Mixing Engineer
Bob Thiel
Producer
Hall Ray
Mixing Engineer
Lillian Seyfert
Assistant Producer
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Ever feel kinda down and out? You don't know just what to do
Livin' all of your days in darkness, let the sun shine through
Ever feel that somehow, somewhere you lost your way
And if you don't get help quick, you won't make it through the day?
[Verse 2]
Could you call on Lady Day, could you call on John Coltrane?
Now 'cause they'll, they'll wash your troubles, your troubles
Your troubles, your troubles away
[Verse 3]
Plastic people with plastic minds are on their way to plastic homes
No beginning, there ain't no ending, just on and on and on and on and on
It's all because they're so afraid to say that they're alone
Until our hero rides in, rides in on his saxophone
[Verse 4]
Could you call on Lady Day, and could you call on John Coltrane?
Now 'cause they'll, they'll wash your troubles, your troubles
Your troubles, your troubles away
[Verse 5]
Alright
[Verse 6]
Ever feel kinda down and out and don't know just what to do?
Livin' all of your days in darkness, let the sun shine through
Ever feel that somehow, somewhere you lost your way
And if you don't get help quick, you won't make it through the day?
[Verse 7]
Could you call on Lady Day, and could you call on John Coltrane?
Now 'cause they'll, they'll wash your troubles, your troubles
Your troubles, your troubles, your troubles, your troubles
Your troubles, your troubles, your troubles, your troubles away
[Verse 8]
They'll wash your troubles away
They'll wash your troubles away
Your troubles, your troubles, your troubles, your troubles away
Yeah, they'll wash your troubles away
They'll wash your troubles away
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Written by: Gil Scott-Heron