Songwriter: H. Dew
Lyrics
[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’s 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]
[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]
[Verse 4]
Well, the freezing ground at night
Is my own folding bed
Pork 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]
[Chorus 3]
[Chorus 2]