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Alabama Shakes – Driva Man (2013) | Track profile | Dork

Tracks
Alabama Shakes
12 Years a Slave (Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture)
Driva Man

TRACK

Driva Man

Release date: 1st November 2013

From 12 Years a Slave (Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture)

More on Alabama Shakes

About This Track

"Driva Man" is a track by Alabama Shakes, from the album 12 Years a Slave (Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture), released 1st November 2013. Full lyrics are available below. Dork has published 6 articles about Alabama Shakes.

About the Artist

Alabama Shakes

Alabama Shakes

Lyrics

Driva Man

Driva man, he made a life

But the Mamie ain't his wife

Choppin' cotton, don't be slow

Better finish out your row

Keep a-movin' with that plow

Driva man'll show yer how

Get to work and root that stump

Driva man'll make you jump

Better make your hammer ring

Driva man'll start to swing

Ain't but two things on my mind

Driva man and quittin' time

Driva man the kinda boss

Ride a man and lead a horse

When his cat o' nine tail fly

You'd be happy just to die

Run away and you'll be found

By his big old red bone hound

Pateroller, bring ya back

Make ya sorry you is Black

Driva man he made a life

But the Mamie ain't his wife

Ain't but two things on my mind

Driva man and quittin' time

[Instrumental break]

Driva man the kinda boss

Ride a man and lead a horse

When his cat o' nine tail fly

You'd be happy just to die

Runaway and you'll be found

By his big old red bone hound

Pateroller, bring ya back

Make ya sorry you is black

Driva man he made a life

But the Mamie ain't his wife

Ain't but two things on my mind

Driva man and quittin' time

Lyrics provided by LRCLIB

View full lyrics page →

Track details

From 12 Years a Slave (Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture)

2013

Listen

Album

12 Years a Slave (Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture)

Release year

2013

—Queen of the Field (Patsey’s Song)
—Roll Jordan Roll
—Washington
—Move
—(In the Evening) When the Sun Goes Down
—Solomon
—Driva Man
—Little Girl Blue
—Freight Train

More from Alabama Shakes

Albums & EPs

Music from The American Epic Sessions (Deluxe)

Music from The American Epic Sessions (Deluxe)

Sound & Color

Sound & Color (Deluxe Edition)

Sound & Color (Deluxe Edition)

Boys & Girls

iTunes Session

Boys & Girls (Deluxe Edition)

Boys & Girls (Deluxe Edition)

Explore

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I Ain't the Same (Live At KCRW)

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Hang Loose (Live At KCRW)

Hold On (Live At KCRW)

Boys & Girls (Live At KCRW)

Mama (Live At KCRW)

Rise To the Sun (Live At KCRW)

Always Alright (Live At KCRW)

Hurricane Strut

Don't Wanna Fight (Live from Capitol Studio A)Sound & Color (Deluxe Edition)

Dunes (Live from Capitol Studio A)Sound & Color (Deluxe Edition)

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Killer Diller Blues

Joe (live from Austin City Limits)

GeminiSound & Color

Sound & ColorSound & Color

Future PeopleSound & Color

Gimme All Your LoveSound & Color

Don't Wanna FightSound & Color

I Found You (EP)

On Your Way (EP)

Over My HeadSound & Color

Guess WhoSound & Color

This FeelingSound & Color

DunesSound & Color

Miss YouSound & Color

ShoegazeSound & Color

The GreatestSound & Color

Heavy ChevyBoys & Girls

I Ain't the SameBoys & Girls

Hold OnBoys & Girls

Goin' to the PartyBoys & Girls

HeartbreakerBoys & Girls

View all tracks by Alabama Shakes →

Drive By Baby
Always Alright
4:09
Always Alright
Always Alright (Live At KCRW)
3:48
American Dream
Another Life
Be Mine (Live At KCRW)
Boys & Girls (Live At KCRW)
Don't Wanna FightSound & Color
3:53
Don't Wanna Fight (Live from Capitol Studio A)Sound & Color (Deluxe Edition)

Showing 10 of 50

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Alabama Shakes are back with a new protest single, 'American Dream'

Alabama Shakes are back with a new protest single, 'American Dream'

The politically charged new track addresses gun violence, abortion laws and income inequality

13 Apr 2026 • 9:10 am

Bilbao BBK Live have locked in their 2026 line-up with FKA twigs and more

Bilbao BBK Live have locked in their 2026 line-up with FKA twigs and more

The full electronic stage programming and daily schedule are also confirmed for the Basque festival.

18 Mar 2026 • 8:32 am

Alabama Shakes have added two UK dates to their upcoming tour plans

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Pre-sale tickets available from 10am GMT on 3rd December.

3 Dec 2025 • 5:22 pm

Alabama Shakes have announced their first UK show in a decade for July 2026

Alabama Shakes have announced their first UK show in a decade for July 2026

Tickets go on general sale at 9am GMT on Friday 21st November.

18 Nov 2025 • 4:12 pm

Alabama Shakes have returned with new single 'Another Life', their first music in a decade

Alabama Shakes have returned with new single 'Another Life', their first music in a decade

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29 Aug 2025 • 9:21 am

Alabama Shakes announce their first North American tour in eight years

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8 Feb 2025 • 1:18 pm

Credits

Production & Engineering

Writer: Max Roach, Oscar Brown Jr.
Lyricist: Max Roach, Oscar Brown Jr.
Composer: Max Roach, Oscar Brown Jr.
Producer: Jimmy Nutt
Drums: Steve Johnson
Guitar: Heath Fogg
Vocals: Brittany Howard
Assistant Engineer: Mitch Jones
Mastering Engineer: Stephen Marcussen
Piano: Benjamin Tanner
Saxophone: Brad Guin
Tambourine: Brittany Howard
Trombone: Allen Branstetter
Trumpet: Ben Griner