One Way Out

Lyrics: James, Sehorn, Williamson
Music: James, Sehorn, Williamson

Played by the Dead during a soundcheck on 26 March 1995, but never performed live. I haven't got the tape, but I assume this is the song originally recorded by Elmore James and then by Sonny Boy Williamson. The Allman Brothers played this song, and on "Allman Brothers At Filmore East" introduce it as "an old Elmore James song." But their version is in fact closer to Sonny Boy Williamson's:

Ain't but one way out baby, Lord I just can't go out the door
Ain't but one way out baby, Lord I just can't go out the door
Cause there's a man down there, might be your man I don't know

Lord you got me trapped woman, up on the second floor
If I get by this time I won't be trapped no more
So raise our window baby, I can ease out soft and slow
And lord, your neighbors, no they won't be
Talking that stuff that they don't know

Lord, I'm foolish to be here in the first place
I know some man gonna walk in and take my place
Ain't no way in the world, I'm going out that front door
Cause there's a man down there, might be your man I don't know
Cause there's a man down there, might be your man I don't know
Cause there's a man down there, might be your man I don't know

Raise your window baby, I ain't going out that door
I said raise your window baby, I ain't going out that door
There's a man downstairs, he may be your husband, I don't know

I said raise your window baby, let me ease on round the floor
Raise your window baby, let me ease on real slow
Your neighbours can't stop talking, a lot of junk that they don't know

Ain't but one way out, I ain't going out the door
Ain't but one way out, baby, I ain't going out that door
I wan't you to raise your window baby, let me ease out real slow

I said raise, I said raise it
I said raise, I said raise it
If I get away this time, I won't be caught back here no more