Who wrote Midnight special I know do you (and It wasn't CCR)?

The late Huddie (Leadbelly) Ledbetter.

Complete bio and credits can be seen at:

http://www.answers.com/topic/ledbetter-h...

Can't say who wrote it.

Leadbelly was first to record it, and LIKELY wrote it as well.

I have heard a version of this song by country singer Bill Cox, I believe recorded in 1931, long before Leadbelly recorded it about 1935. So it was probably around long before Leadbelly got hold of it. Leadbelly was a great singer and bluesman, but many of the songs he gets credit for were not his compositions. For example his signature song "Goodnight Irene" is actually a composed song from the late 1800's. written by Gussie Davis.

oh i thought it was jonny rivers

I don't know but the Odetta version kicks ***!