- Written by
- [Traditional]
- Language
- English
- Comments
-
This blues-oriented song most probably was derived from an African-American work song. The earliest recording appears to have been by Peg Leg Howell in 1928 as "Rock and Gravel Blues". All of the performances share the common refrain "It takes rocks and gravel, baby to make a solid road" to start the song, but from there can have widely floating lyrics. Howell's release didn't have songwriting credits but most every version thereafter was registered by the respective performer as the original wasn't copyrighted. Instead of creating umpteen adaptations, SHS is treating them all as arrangements.
NOTE: There is another song called Rocks and Gravel that is likely derived from the same traditional African-American work song. It is performed as a spiritual with much different pace and very different lyrics. Those versions seem to always start with the refrain "Well it's early in the mornin', the mornin', Well, when I rise...". It's likely that one of the two "Rocks and Gravel" Works was the precursor of the other so they should be formally linked, but not certain which one came first. - Licensing
- Request a synchronization license
Versions
Rocks and Gravel [Make a Solid Road] written by [Traditional] English
| Title | Performer | Release date | Info | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock and Gravel Blues | Peg Leg Howell | 1928 | First recording on April 20, 1928 First release |
||
| Rocks and Gravel Make a Solid Road | Mance Lipscomb | October 1961 | |||
| Rocks and Gravel | John Jackson | 1968 | |||
| Rocks and Gravel | Mike Castle | 1970 | |||
| Rocks and Gravel | The Backwoods Band | 1980 | |||
| Rocks and Gravel | Bob Dylan | March 26, 1991 | Released more than 10 years after its recording | ||
| Rocks and Gravel | Scott Ainslie | September 22, 1997 | Unverified | ||
| Rocks and Gravel | Michel Montecrossa | 2003 |