Janis Joplin Lets Loose In Intimate Footage On The Road And It Makes Us Smile

Ain’t No More Cane

From the film Festival Express, intimate footage of Janis, along with other rock stars like Rich Danko and John “Marmaduke” Dawson and others shows a serious fun side to her- yet still tame. Singing “Ain’t No More Cane” on a tour bus, a tune that The Band member Rich knew extremely well, the group lets loose and belts their souls in a somewhat howling awkwardness and it’s magic.

“Ain’t no more cane on the Brazos, oh, oh, oh-oh. It’s all been ground down to molasses, oh, oh, oh-oh…”

Although it is hard to hear Janis over the silly howls, around minute 3:30 you can hear her beautiful, signature belt coming straight from that bright and hopeful face as she enjoys spending time with good friends. Giggling and exchanging looks back and forth, there seems to be something between her and Rich, we sense some chemistry in the making…

Interesting Fact: Released in 2003, the “Festival Express” documentary film showed the 1970 train tour of the same name across Canada taken by some of North America’s most popular rock bands, including Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, The Band, Buddy Guy, Flying Burrito Bros, and Delaney & Bonnie & Friends.

We look for anything and everything we can find of Janis and due to her somewhat short career, there is only so much Janis in this world. However, when we find something that displays her happiness or a time where she at least looked happy, we have to share it with the rest of the world. Enjoy!

+ Ain’t No More Cane Lyrics +

Ain’t no more cane on the Brazos
Oh, oh, oh-oh
It’s all been ground down to molasses
Oh, oh, oh-oh

You shoulda been on the river in ninteen-and-ten
Oh, oh, oh-oh
They were driving the women just like they drove the men
Oh, oh, oh-oh

Go down old Hannah, don’cha rise no more
Oh, oh, oh-oh
Don’t you rise up til Judgment Day is for sure
Oh, oh, oh-oh

Ain’t no more cane on the Brazos
Oh, oh, oh-oh
It’s all been ground down to molasses
Oh, oh, oh-oh

Captain, don’t you do me like you done poor old Shine
Oh, oh, oh-oh
Well ya drove that bully ’till he went stone blind
Oh, oh, oh-oh

Wake up on a lifetime, hold up your own head
Oh, oh, oh-oh
Well you may get a pardon and then you might drop dead
Oh, oh, oh-oh

Ain’t no more cane on the Brazos
Oh, oh, oh-oh
It’s all been ground down to molasses
Oh, oh, oh-oh