Ferdinand standing in the tower thinkin how to get the power Empress knows that it would cost her For Ferdinand The Imposter Came to me to make a deal, Dressed like General Butterfield. Couldn't wait to thank him for the stuffed birds and rubber door Donated to him from the poor But its just his game And he carries no shame Still, he done nobody wrong He knew he didn't belong But he went along Looking to see if there's somebody else he'd like to be Benny the Barber, Luke and me, Passed out tickets cautiously, To see the burning of the soup, Down at Lucy's chicken coop. Then of course Ferdinand, Started out doing Charlie Chan. That last atlas honkey's fall, He says he's gonna do them all. A voice just said he's not for real, But its just his game, And he carries no shame. Still he done nobody wrong, He knew he didn't belong, But he went along. Lookin' to see if there's somebody, Else he'd like to be. Oh its hard, oh, don't you know To be somebody that you dont even know But he's friendly, yes he's kind I can't help wonderin why they'd want to change his mind Got a message in the mail, Ferdinand was thrown in jail. I left the snow with Abigail, Went on down to fix his bail. They had him locked in a gunny sack, His hands were tied behind his back. He claimed he was a Doukhobor But they never heard of that in Baltimore. The police said he'd better go home, And he went back alone, Back to the snow. Still he done nobody wrong, He knew he didn't belong, But he went along. Lookin' to see if there's somebody, Else he'd like to be, Mainly free.
Hard to believe they didn’t work this one up more for their debut. Rick somehow manages to sound like Richard in several places on this, which is probably his best vocal next to It Makes No Difference
Indeed. While it’s definitely Rick singing lead, Richards backing vocals are unbelievable. He does everything. An absolutely effortless and beautiful performance.
One of the best songs the Band recorded ! Wonder why they didn't do it on one of the early albums? Then again it might lose it's magical charm cleaned up in a studio.
nathan hyde just realized it was removed! Not included on the capitol rarities compilation either- odd. Definitely one of my favorites of the cut tracks released
I've always thought this was the weakest track of all the outtakes on Music from Big Pink. It's just kinda monotonous. It doesn't help that the track is extremely murky.
It’s prob just early demo stage, but as someone who’s pretty familiar with their work, the vocals alone make it one of my favorites in their entire canon.
My favorite song of all time
Love this song and album! the Best!
Big Pink. Can't go wrong with that.
This song and Katie's Been Gone have such incredible vocals, and they grow on you the more they're played and really listened to closely.
Such a great song. Can't believe it was not released on the original album. Great vocal from Rick.
This song is one of the very best by The Band
... such an incredible song.I think it's Rick Danko's best vocal.R.I.P Rick.
Ferdinand standing in the tower thinkin how to get the power
Empress knows that it would cost her
For Ferdinand The Imposter
Came to me to make a deal,
Dressed like General Butterfield.
Couldn't wait to thank him for the stuffed birds and rubber door
Donated to him from the poor
But its just his game
And he carries no shame
Still, he done nobody wrong
He knew he didn't belong
But he went along
Looking to see if there's somebody else he'd like to be
Benny the Barber, Luke and me,
Passed out tickets cautiously,
To see the burning of the soup,
Down at Lucy's chicken coop.
Then of course Ferdinand,
Started out doing Charlie Chan.
That last atlas honkey's fall,
He says he's gonna do them all.
A voice just said he's not for real,
But its just his game,
And he carries no shame.
Still he done nobody wrong,
He knew he didn't belong,
But he went along.
Lookin' to see if there's somebody,
Else he'd like to be.
Oh its hard, oh, don't you know
To be somebody that you dont even know
But he's friendly, yes he's kind
I can't help wonderin why they'd want to change his mind
Got a message in the mail,
Ferdinand was thrown in jail.
I left the snow with Abigail,
Went on down to fix his bail.
They had him locked in a gunny sack,
His hands were tied behind his back.
He claimed he was a Doukhobor
But they never heard of that in Baltimore.
The police said he'd better go home,
And he went back alone,
Back to the snow.
Still he done nobody wrong,
He knew he didn't belong,
But he went along.
Lookin' to see if there's somebody,
Else he'd like to be,
Mainly free.
Hard to believe they didn’t work this one up more for their debut. Rick somehow manages to sound like Richard in several places on this, which is probably his best vocal next to It Makes No Difference
Rest In Peace Richard Manuel
☮❤🇨🇦
Indeed. While it’s definitely Rick singing lead, Richards backing vocals are unbelievable. He does everything. An absolutely effortless and beautiful performance.
Rick REALLY sounds like Richard singing the bridge. I still have to listen closely to hear that it’s Danko
@@TR-yi8up I personally think they all took after Richard when it came to vocals 🙂
@@rooty_rootz who wouldn’t try to sound like he did?
One of the best songs the Band recorded ! Wonder why they didn't do it on one of the early albums? Then again it might lose it's magical charm cleaned up in a studio.
This one really does have something magical. I wonder if it has something to with its being based on a real person, you know for legal purposes?
Great vocal by Rick!
My favorite song by the Band.
A rare gem by The Band 🎉
Wish we could know about this songs backstory.
I have this as a bonus track on the remastered cd. Have The Band ever made a bad song?
There MUST be more hidden band gems like this.
So many... Look up their “Musical history”compilation on iTunes. So rad. “Sleeping” is my jam
I hope so !
„You Don’t Come Through „ is another gem. Less formed, but it’s Manuel at his vocal peak.
Outrageous this wasn't on their 'Best Of' album
We need more songs with "Doukhobor" in the lyrics.
Never heard of that in Baltimore
Bob Dylan will use that phrase at some point
I wish they had done another recording. One that was just a bit crisper so as to hear the lyrics better. I love the sound. Love the Band
This was on the Big Pink remaster and on that A Musical History box set, then it disappeared - is there a royalties dispute or something....?
Looking to see if there's someone else he'd like to be......🎶🎵
it's an unreleased track on the special reissue of Big Pink. It's on the Basement Tapes, I believe.
This is a great song. I'm pretty sure the title is based off of Ferdinand Demara. Crazy brilliant story behind him :)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinand_Waldo_Demara
Not on Spotify for some reason
nathan hyde just realized it was removed! Not included on the capitol rarities compilation either- odd. Definitely one of my favorites of the cut tracks released
Or Amazon Music
Neither on Tidal.
Awesome, never heard this! Also, thanks for loading up Northern Lights - Southern Cross, been looking for it all over.
I think the new Basement Tapes complete will have this. This is a outtake on the Big Pink reissue.
this shit is serious
Bob Dylan drew that painting.
when he was 5?
Did Bob Dylan play on this track?
Not sure but he painted the album cover.
Much as I love it, I'd love it more with some electric guitar from Robbie, just some fills even, wouldn't need to be a solo.
first notes remind me Norwegian wood.
Weird how that happens sometimes.
Too many imposters in 2024!!! 😢
It's great! But, it does sound a bit like a few other songs The Band recorded at that stage...
I've always thought this was the weakest track of all the outtakes on Music from Big Pink. It's just kinda monotonous. It doesn't help that the track is extremely murky.
It’s prob just early demo stage, but as someone who’s pretty familiar with their work, the vocals alone make it one of my favorites in their entire canon.
Of course, the lyrics were written first so the music composition came after so that makes the song unique along with Rick's sad voice.