Going to Memphis

Lyrics

[Intro] Ride this train to Pine Ridge, Mississippi See that levee there? It was built to hold back the waters of Old Man River when he gets on a rampage. And he gets on a rampage, believe me. One of these days, he's gonna come right over that levee and we're gonna have to head for the hills again. And do you know how that levee was built, mister? Not with machines. It was built with elbow grease. They got the men off the farms, out of the houses, even out of the honky-tonks on Saturday night I don't hardly know how it happened, to me it happened fast. I just remember I was in the Green Lantern in Natchez one Saturday night. And somebody pulled a knife and somebody threw the bottle, and the next thing I knew, I had a chain on my leg and a shovel in my hand. It seemed like the whole world come down on me. They whipped us like mules, and when they did feed us, there was always a fight or a killing over who was gonna get the biggest piece of meat. Course, the boss man didn't care about the killings. That is, unless you killed a good worker; then you'd get killed If you complain about anything, they're just liable to give you a chance to get away. You know what I mean? They take the chains off of ya legs and beg you to run so they can shoot ya [Verse 1] Bring a drink of water, Leroy Bring a drink of water (no) If I could get to the mercy man He'd give me some I know I got a gal in Vicksburg Bertha is her name Wish I was tied to Bertha Instead of this ball and chain [Chorus 1] I'm going to Memphis That's right Lord, yeah [Verse 2] A dude took all my money Wouldn't let me see the cards I owe the boss about a hundred years For sleeping in his backyard [Chorus 2] I'm going to Memphis (yeah Memphis) Yeah I'm going to Memphis [Chorus 3] Like a bitter weed, I'm a bad seed But when that levee's through and I am too Let the honky-tonk roll on Come morning I'll be gone [Chorus 2] I'm going to Memphis Yeah Memphis [Verse 3] I never been to Chicago But it must be a mighty fine place (that's right) I couldn't get past Tennessee With Mississippi all over my face [Chorus 1] I'm going to Memphis (That's right Lord, Memphis) [Verse 4] Well, the freezing ground at night Is my own folding bed Poke salad is my bread and meat And it will be till I'm dead Well, I brought me a little water In a Mr. Prince Albert can But the boss man caught me drinking it And I believe he broke my hand They all call me crazy for sassing Mr. Scott My brother was killed for a deed I did But I this remember what, yeah Well another boy is down The shovel burned him out Let me stand on his body To see what the shoutin's about [Chorus 2] I'm going to Memphis (yeah Memphis) Yeah I'm going to Memphis [Chorus 3] Like a bitter weed, I'm a bad seed But when that levee's through and I am too Let the honky-tonk roll on Come morning I'll be gone [Chorus 2] I'm going to Memphis Yeah Memphis (Yes Lord, Memphis-bound)