Nighttime Gardener (Featured APD Showcase Track)

Bobby Rush, Carquit Music (BMI)

Nighttime Gardener
© 2016 Bobby Rush

After recording almost 400 songs since the 1950s, released as albums and singles on dozens of large and small labels, Bobby Rush won his first Grammy award in 2017, at the age of 83. “Nighttime Gardener” is standout track from that album, Porcupine Meat, featuring Keb’ Mo’ on slide guitar, and a humorous double entendre lyric that is delivered over an undeniable groove. The track was produced by Rounder’s Scott Billington in New Orleans with an all-star band that includes Jeffery “Jellybean” Alexander on drums and Vasti Jackson on guitar.

With his highly entertaining show and onstage flair, Rush has sometimes been called “The King of the Chitlin’ Circuit.” He still plays nearly 200 shows each year, in venues ranging from the Americana conference to performing arts centers to back-of-town juke joints. As one of the few active and creative performers from the post-war blues era, he is truly an American treasure. - Scott Billington



Nighttime Gardener featuring Keb’ Mo’ (4:06)
Bobby Rush − vocals, harmonica
Keb’ Mo’ – guitar, slide guitar solo
Vasti Jackson – guitars
Shane Theriot – guitar
David Torkanowsky – Hammond B-3 organ
Cornell Williams – bass
Jeffrey “Jellybean” Alexander – drums

Bobby Rush, Carquit Music (BMI)


Nightime Gardener
© 2016 Bobby Rush

Give me one night in your garden, baby, I’ll show you what I know (x2)
I’m a nighttime gardener, I can make anything grow

You got a man watering your garden, baby, he ain’t doing it right (x2)
He’s trying to do it in the daytime, when he should be doing it at night

I don’t pull my lawnmower out till the sun goes down
I got an easy cutting mower, it don’t make a sound
If you let me be your gardener, I’ll do it right
But I don’t start to work girl until after midnight
I’m a nighttime gardener, let me do your yard for you

I’m a nighttime gardener, I’ll do anything to please
Yes I’m a nighttime gardener girl, I’ll cut your yard to please
If I can’t do it standing up, I even get down on my knees

I’ll cut your grass, rake your leaves
All my work, girl, is guaranteed
I’ll do your yard, I’ll do it right
I don’t start to work till way after midnight
I’m a nighttime gardener, let me do your yard for you

If your yard needs fertilizing, I got fertilizer for you (x2)
Yes, I’m a nighttime gardener, and I knows what to do