going to memphis
cash, johnny
bring a drink of water leroy
if i could get to the mercy man
instead of this ball and chain
wouldn't let me see the cards
i owe the boss about a hundred years
for sleepin' in his backyard
yeah i'm goin' to memphis
but when that levee's through and i am too
let the honky tonk roll on
come mornin' i'll be gone
but it must be a mighty fine place
i couldn't get past tennessee
with mississippi all over my face
the freezin' ground at night
pork salad is my bread and meat
and it will be till i'm dead
i brought me a little water
in a mr. prince albert can
but the boss man caught me drinkin' it
they all call me crazy for sassin' mr. scott
my brother was killed for a deed i did
the shovel burned him out
to see what the shoutin's about
yeah i'm goin' to memphis
but when that levee's through and i am too
let the honky tonk roll on
come mornin' i'll be gone