Johnny Cash Album: Ride This Train Track: Going to Memphis
Going to Memphis Lyrics
Ride this train to Pionridge Mississippi see that levee there It's built to hold back the waters of Ol' 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 you know how that levee was built Mister Not with machines it is 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 happens 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 miles and when they did feed us There was always a fight or a killin' over who's gonna get the biggest piece of meet Whereas the boss man did't care about the killin' That is less you killed a good worker then you get killed If you complain about anything he just liable to give you a chance to get away You know what I mean They take the chains off your legs and beg you to run so they can shoot you
Bring a drink of water Leroy bring a drink of water (no) If I could get to mercy man he's give me some I know I got a gal in Vickburg Bertha is her name Wish I's tied to Bertha instead of this ball and chain I'm goin' to Memphis (that's right Lord) yeah (uh huh) But dues took all my money wouldn't let me see the cards I owen the boss about a hundred years for sleepin' in his backyard I'm goin' to Memphis (yeah Memphis) yeah I'm goin' to Memphis (now)
Like a bitter weed I'm a bad seed but when that levee's thru and I am too Let the honky tonk roll on come mornin' I'll be gone I'm goin' to Memphis yeah Memphis
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 (uh huh) I'm goin' to Memphis (that's right Lord Memphis) Well the freezin' ground at night is my own foldin' bed Polk 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 bossman caught me drinkin' it and I believe he broke my hand (hm hm) They all call me crazy for sassin' Mr Scott My brother was killed for a deed I did but I disremember 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 I'm goin' to Memphis yeah I'm goin' to Memphis hmm
