A Poem For Myself
I was born in Mississippi;
I walked barefooted thru the mud.
Born black in Mississippi,
Walked barefooted thru the mud.
But, when I reached the age of twelve
I left that place for good.
My daddy chopped cotton
And he drank his liquor straight.
Said my daddy chopped cotton
And he drank his liquor straight.
When I left that Sunday morning
He was leaning on the barnyard gate.
Left my mama standing
With the sun shining in her eyes.
Left her standing in the yard
With the sun shining in her eyes.
And I headed North
As straight as the Wild Goose Flies,
I been to Detroit & Chicago
Been to New York city too.
I been to Detroit & Chicago
Been to New York city too.
Said I done strolled all those funky avenues
I'm still the same old black boy with the same old blues.
Going back to Mississippi
This time to stay for good
Going back to Mississippi
This time to stay for good-
Gonna be free in Mississippi
Or dead in the Mississippi mud.
poem by Etheridge Knight
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Up In Mississippi Tonight
Sallys up in mississippi tonight
With a man she hardly knows
Sallys wearin brand new clothes
Opportunity dont knock twice
So sally said, bye, bye
I hope she is alright
Up in mississippi tonight
Sally left before the sun could rise
When the city man came to town
She turned his head around
It was love with just one look
When she saw the size of his pocketbook
Oh sallys doin fine
Shes up in mississippi tonight
But theres a mountain boy whos gonna remember you
And sally youre one old girl he hates to lose
But you did what you had to do
You know Im happy for you
But sometimes please think of me up there in biloxi
Sallys up in mississippi tonight
Stayin in a big hotel
Rich man payin the bill
Drivin a brand new car
Drinkin in fancy bars
Oh sallys havin a time
Shes up in mississippi tonight
Sallys up in mississippi tonight
Sallys up in mississippi tonight
Sallys up in mississippi tonight
song performed by by Tom Petty
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Muddy Mississippi
Chorus:
I can hardly see my face in the waters of the muddy mississippi
But I can see the shadows of the cotton wood standing over me
The morning sun would find me
Swinging from the rope thats hanging free
And I drop in to the waters
And go swimming in the muddy mississippi
A boy came to the delta
And we would swing together from that tree
I could see my dreams in his eyes
As he held on to me
Swinging in the sunlight
Loving in the shadows
Wild and free
And I made him promise he would take me
Down to new orleans
Bright lights of the city made my red dress and shoes look brand new
While he worked the night shift
I turned on and I turned loose
I lost my pride I lost my man
I did things a girl like me shouldnt do
Now I cant face this living
With the swelling signs of new life
Showing through
I can hardly see my face in the waters of the muddy mississippi
But I can see the shadows of the cotton wood standing over me
The morning sun would find me
Hanging from the rope thats swinging free
And Ill swing for the last time over the waters
Of the muddy mississippi
Yeah the muddy mississippi
song performed by by Reba Mcentire
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Jesus Just Left Chicago
(billy f. gibbons/joe michael hill/frank lee beard)jesus left chicago
And he headed down to new orleans
Jesus left chicago
And he headed down to new orleans
Hey hey
Workin from one end to the other
And all points in between
Took a drive through mississippi
Muddy water turned to wine
Took a drive through mississippi
Muddy water turned to wine
Hey hey
Went out to california
Through the points and through the pines
You might not see him in person
But hell see you just the same
Might not see him in person
But hell see you just the same
Hey hey
Dont have to worry about nothin
cuz takin care of business is his name
Jesus left chicago
And he headed down to new orleans
Jesus left chicago
And he headed down to new orleans
Hey hey
Workin from one end to the other
And all points in between
Thanks everyone!
This is a very cool room, I dont know how many of you
Were here last time, but...its good to be back
Whats that?
Sounds good, mike!! sounds great, mike!!!
Thank you man! thank you.. ok.... mike?
He likes the way it sounds!
I know!
song performed by by Phish
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Mississippi Lady
Written by - Jim Croce
With just a sleeping bag and an old guitar
I left the band in New Orleans
I did some time with the bottle, some with the river queens
I never thought I would meet a girl
Who could turn my head around
Till I met that Mississippi Lady in sleepy Gulfport town, she was a
Chorus:
Mississippi Lady
My lovin' Gulfport gal
She taught me how to love
And she really loved me well
She took me up to heaven
Then she brought me down
That Mississippi Lady, Sweet Cordelia Brown
Hot July in Gulfport
And I was working in the bars
And she was working on the street
With the rest of the evening stars
She said, I never met a guy
Who could turn my head around
And that's really sayin' something
For Sweet Cordelia Brown
She was a
Chorus
Now I'm back in New York City
Playin' in a band
But my mind's on Mississippi
Is it hard to understand
I never thought I would meet a girl
Who could bring me that far down
Like the girl I met in Gulfport
Sweet Cordelia Brown
She was a
Chorus
That Mississippi Lady, Sweet Cordelia Brown
song performed by by Jim Croce
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Mississippi Halfstep
On the day when I was born daddy sat down and cried.
I had the mark just as plain as day; which could not be denied.
They say that cain caught abel rollin loaded dice;
Ace of spades behind his ear and him not thinkin twice.
Halfstep, mississippi uptown toodeloo hello, baby, Im gone, good-bye
Half a cup of rock and rye. farewell to you old southern skies
Im on my way, on my way.
If all you got to live for is what you left behind,
Get yourself a powder charge and seal that silver mine.
Lost my boots in transit, baby, pile of smokin leather.
I nailed a retread to my feet and prayed for better weather.
Halfstep, mississippi uptown toodeloo hello, baby, Im gone, good-bye
Half a cup of rock and rye. farewell to you old southern skies
Im on my way, on my way.
They say that when your ship comes in, the first man takes the sails;
Whats the point of callin shots; this cue aint straight in line.
Cue balls made of styrofoam and no ones got the time.
Halfstep, mississippi uptown toodeloo hello, baby, Im gone, good-bye
Half a cup of rock and rye. farewell to you old southern skies
Im on my way, on my way.
Across the rio grandeeo, across the lazy river.
song performed by by Grateful Dead
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Black Water
Patrick simmons
Well, I built me a raft and shes ready for floatin
Ol mississippi, shes callin my name
Catfish are jumpin
That paddle wheel thumpin
Black water keeps rollin on past just the same
Old black water, keep on rollin
Mississippi moon, wont you keep on shinin on me
Old black water, keep on rollin
Mississippi moon, wont you keep on shinin on me
Old black water, keep on rollin
Mississippi moon, wont you keep on shinin on me
Yeah, keep on shinin your light
Gonna make everything, pretty mama
Gonna make everything all right
And I aint got no worries
cause I aint in no hurry at all
Well, if it rains, I dont care
Dont make no difference to me
Just take that street car thats goin up town
Yeah, Id like to hear some funky dixieland
And dance a honky tonk
And Ill be buyin evrybody drinks all roun
Old black water, keep on rollin
Mississippi moon, wont you keep on shinin on me
Old black water, keep on rollin
Mississippi moon, wont you keep on shinin on me
Old black water, keep on rollin
Mississippi moon, wont you keep on shinin on me
Yeah, keep on shinin your light
Gonna make everything, pretty mama
Gonna make everything all right
And I aint got no worries
cause I aint in no hurry at all
Id like to hear some funky dixieland
Pretty mama come and take me by the hand
By the hand, take me by the hand pretty mama
Come and dance with your daddy all night long
I want to honky tonk, honky tonk, honky tonk
With you all night long
song performed by by Doobie Brothers
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Mississippi Half - Step Uptown Toodeloo
On the day when I was born Daddy sat down and cried.
I had the mark just as plain as day; which could not be denied.
They say that Cain caught Abel rollin' loaded dice;
Ace of Spades behind his ear and him not thinkin' twice.
Halfstep, Mississippi uptown toodeloo Hello, baby, I'm gone, goodbye
Half a cup of Rock and Rye. Farewell to you old Southern skies
I'm on my way, on my way.
If all you got to live for is what you left behind,
Get yourself a powder charge and seal that silver mine.
Lost my boots in transit, baby, pile of smokin' leather.
I nailed a retread to my feet and prayed for better weather.
Halfstep, Mississippi uptown toodeloo Hello, baby, I'm gone, goodbye
Half a cup of Rock and Rye. Farewell to you old Southern skies
I'm on my way, on my way.
They say that when your ship comes in, the first man takes the sails;
What's the point of callin' shots; this cue ain't straight in line.
Cue ball's made of styrofoam and no one's got the time.
Halfstep, Mississippi uptown toodeloo Hello, baby, I'm gone, goodbye
Half a cup of Rock and Rye. Farewell to you old Southern skies
I'm on my way, on my way.
Across the Rio Grandeeo, Across the lazy river
song performed by by Grateful Dead
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Mississippi
Nashville sky, in the morning sun
Somewhere up north, a new life begun
He was drawn to the twister, with a Memphis sound
Kissed by an Angel, of a music town.
Jump a train from Chicago, trace it back
With the neck of a bottle, and the groove of the tracks
Spend your life running, that Angels sweet sound
Chasing the ghosts, of a faraway town.
Oh Mississippi, running through my veins
Oh Mississippi, never the same again.
song performed by by Chris Rea
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Miss The Mississippi And You
(Bill Haley)
I'm growing tired on the big city lights
Tired of the glamour and tired of the sights
In all my dreams I am roaming once more
Back to my home on the old river shore
I am sad and weary, far away from home
Miss the Mississippi and you
Days are dark and dreary
Everywhere I go
Miss the Mississippi and you
Roaming the wide world over
Always along and blue
Nothing seems to cheer me under heaven's door
Miss the Mississippi and you
I'm growing tired on the big city lights
Tired of the glamour and tired of the sights
In all my dreams I am roaming once more
Back to my home on the old river shore
I am sad and weary, far away from home
Miss the Mississippi and you
Days are dark and dreary
Everywhere I go
Miss the Mississippi and you
song performed by by Emmylou Harris
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Miss The Mississippi & You
(bill haley)
Im growing tired on the big city lights
Tired of the glamour and tired of the sights
In all my dreams I am roaming once more
Back to my home on the old river shore
I am sad and weary, far away from home
Miss the mississippi and you
Days are dark and dreary
Everywhere I go
Miss the mississippi and you
Roaming the wide world over
Always along and blue
Nothing seems to cheer me under heavens door
Miss the mississippi and you
Im growing tired on the big city lights
Tired of the glamour and tired of the sights
In all my dreams I am roaming once more
Back to my home on the old river shore
I am sad and weary, far away from home
Miss the mississippi and you
Days are dark and dreary
Everywhere I go
Miss the mississippi and you
song performed by by Emmylou Harris
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Missisippi Gooddam
(1963) Nina Simone
The name of this tune is Mississippi Goddam
And I mean every word of it
Alabama's gotten me so upset
Tennessee made me lose my rest
And everybody knows about Mississippi Goddam
Alabama's gotten me so upset
Tennessee made me lose my rest
And everybody knows about Mississippi Goddam
Can't you see it
Can't you feel it
It's all in the air
I can't stand the pressure much longer
Somebody say a prayer
Alabama's gotten me so upset
Tennessee made me lose my rest
And everybody knows about Mississippi Goddam
This is a show tune
But the show hasn't been written for it, yet
Hound dogs on my trail
School children sitting in jail
Black cat cross my path
I think every day's gonna be my last
Lord have mercy on this land of mine
We all gonna get it in due time
I don't belong here
I don't belong there
I've even stopped believing in prayer
Don't tell me
I tell you
Me and my people just about due
I've been there so I know
They keep on saying "Go slow!"
But that's just the trouble
"do it slow"
Washing the windows
"do it slow"
Picking the cotton
"do it slow"
You're just plain rotten
"do it slow"
You're too damn lazy
"do it slow"
The thinking's crazy
"do it slow"
Where am I going
What am I doing
I don't know
I don't know
Just try to do your very best
Stand up be counted with all the rest
For everybody knows about Mississippi Goddam
I made you thought I was kiddin' didn't we
Picket lines
School boycotts
They try to say it's a communist plot
All I want is equality
for my sister my brother my people and me
Yes you lied to me all these years
You told me to wash and clean my ears
And talk real fine just like a lady
And you'd stop calling me Sister Sadie
Oh but this whole country is full of lies
You're all gonna die and die like flies
I don't trust you any more
You keep on saying "Go slow!"
"Go slow!"
But that's just the trouble
"do it slow"
Desegregation
"do it slow"
Mass participation
"do it slow"
Reunification
"do it slow"
Do things gradually
"do it slow"
But bring more tragedy
"do it slow"
Why don't you see it
Why don't you feel it
I don't know
I don't know
You don't have to live next to me
Just give me my equality
Everybody knows about Mississippi
Everybody knows about Alabama
Everybody knows about Mississippi Goddam
That's it!
song performed by by Nina Simone
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Blues, The Mississippi Way!
Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson,
Fats Waller, a'sweatin' at his piano,
Bo! You know Bo?
You don't know Diddley without Bo!
W. C. Handy, in a park in Memphis,
Frozen forever in stone, Trumpet in hand,
Eyes fixed on that Mighty, Muddy
Mississippi River, frozen for all time...
Soft, undulating hips swaying to the
Moaning, anguished notes of a horn,
Black eyes smiling at my tormented longing,
Teasing me with a smile and a glance
Over tender shoulders...
That River, awash on the banks,
Over the banks, bringing in black mud,
Rich, alive, flowing ever southward,
Flowing to its Delta home,
Teeming black dirt, pure white cotton,
Red hot jazz, and Blues...done right...
Souls, crying in the dark nights,
Lost, alone, hurting, forever in pain,
Longing... Begging...
Calling from the Riverboats,
From the shotgun shanties,
And the cotton fields,
From the bars and the juke joints,
Sweet notes, and blue,
Pouring into that soft, warm southern night...
From downtown Main Street to Natchez Under The Hill,
From downtown banks to the riverbanks,
From downtown mansions to the riverbank shanties,
From downtown highroads to the riverbank byways,
From downtown birthplaces of the rich and famous
To the riverbank birthplace of the music of a nation,
The blues will take you in, and tell of your heart's pain,
Or comfort you, like a motherless child...
Hearing the cries of the hurtin', hungry children,
Or the late night wail of the Midnight Flyer train,
Right on time, not stopping, passing through,
Leaving home, and wife, family and babies,
Going away...far, far away...
That train, dragging her cars behind her,
Northward, maybe to Detroit city,
Or Chicago...always away,
For the high cost of $16.95, you can leave,
But there might always be
The sound in your heart
Of Jimmie Rogers, the Singing Brakeman,
Wailing 'Mississippi Moon, '
The blues, oozing out of our hearts and souls,
Soaking into that rich, black Mississippi soil.
Linda Treat
March 11,2009
Copyrighted
poem by Scarlett Treat
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Evangeline
(robbie robertson)
She stands on the banks of the mighty mississippi
Alone in the pale moonlight
Waitin for a man, a riverboat gambler
Said that hed return tonight
They used to waltz on the banks of the mighty mississippi
Lovin the whole night through
He was a riverboat gambler off to make a killin
And bring it on back to you
Evangeline evangeline
Curses the soul of the mississippi queen
That pulled her man away
Bayou sam from south louisian
Had gamblin in his veins
Evangeline from the maritime
Was slowly goin insane
High on the top of a hickory hill
She stands in the lightning and thunder
Down on the river the boat was a sinkin
She watched that queen go under
Evangeline evangeline
Curses the soul of the mississippi queen
That pulled her man away
Evangeline evangeline
Curses the soul of the mississippi queen
That pulled her man away
song performed by by Emmylou Harris
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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They would come down in Mississippi, they hired me as a talent scout. And I would go all over Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, and find out different artists for them.
quote by Ike Turner
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Mississippi
They call her Mississippi
But she don't flow to me
Spends her light on the Bayou
But she don't come to see
She's the one that makes my dreams
They call her Mississippi
But she don't flow to me
The shape of her horizon
Makes the morning sun
When she puts her eyes on
Each and anyone
She's the one that makes me fall
Midnight moon shines through it all
She's the one that makes me fall
Midnight moon shines through it all
She's the one that makes my dreams
They call her Mississippi
But she don't flow to me
They call her Mississippi
But she don't flow to me
song performed by by Train from Drops Of Jupiter
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Jackson, Mississippi
And when the sunshine showed
Her face I felt like I was ready to die
Went lookin for a place to hide
A hole I could crawl inside
Long lines
Whiskey bottles
And the same old song
I smell death in the air
And I know it wont be long
And I could say I'm trying to change
But that's just another lie
Its been a day and a half
And I'm still high
And I feel like Jackson Mississippi
A river runnin
Like Jackson Mississippi
A river runnin
Like Jackson Mississippi
A river runnin thru my veins
And when the daylight disappeared
I took a good look inside
Behind my pride
I sat down and cried
I know I'm not a fool
But I don't know what's wrong
Maybe its time to pack
And just move on
And I could say I'm trying to change
But that would just be a lie
I'm lookin for some one to tell me why
song performed by by Kid Rock
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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One of the first things I did as a new Member of Congress was help form a bipartisan Mississippi River Caucus so we could work together from both the North and the South in order to draw attention to the resources that are needed along the Mississippi River.
Mississippi Goddam
(1963) nina simone
The name of this tune is mississippi goddam
And I mean every word of it
Alabamas gotten me so upset
Tennessee made me lose my rest
And everybody knows about mississippi goddam
Alabamas gotten me so upset
Tennessee made me lose my rest
And everybody knows about mississippi goddam
Cant you see it
Cant you feel it
Its all in the air
I cant stand the pressure much longer
Somebody say a prayer
Alabamas gotten me so upset
Tennessee made me lose my rest
And everybody knows about mississippi goddam
This is a show tune
But the show hasnt been written for it, yet
Hound dogs on my trail
School children sitting in jail
Black cat cross my path
I think every days gonna be my last
Lord have mercy on this land of mine
We all gonna get it in due time
I dont belong here
I dont belong there
Ive even stopped believing in prayer
Dont tell me
I tell you
Me and my people just about due
Ive been there so I know
They keep on saying go slow!
But thats just the trouble
Do it slow
Washing the windows
Do it slow
Picking the cotton
Do it slow
Youre just plain rotten
Do it slow
Youre too damn lazy
Do it slow
The thinkings crazy
Do it slow
Where am I going
What am I doing
I dont know
I dont know
Just try to do your very best
Stand up be counted with all the rest
For everybody knows about mississippi goddam
I made you thought I was kiddin didnt we
Picket lines
School boy cots
They try to say its a communist plot
All I want is equality
For my sister my brother my people and me
Yes you lied to me all these years
You told me to wash and clean my ears
And talk real fine just like a lady
And youd stop calling me sister sadie
Oh but this whole country is full of lies
Youre all gonna die and die like flies
I dont trust you any more
You keep on saying go slow!
Go slow!
But thats just the trouble
Do it slow
Desegregation
Do it slow
Mass participation
Do it slow
Reunification
Do it slow
Do things gradually
Do it slow
But bring more tragedy
Do it slow
Why dont you see it
Why dont you feel it
I dont know
I dont know
You dont have to live next to me
Just give me my equality
Everybody knows about mississippi
Everybody knows about alabama
Everybody knows about mississippi goddam
Thats it!
song performed by by Nina Simone
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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I Woke Up In A Car
I woke up in New York City
From the steep behind the wheel
Caught a train to Poughkeepsie
And time stood still
She wrote me a letter from San Diego
To qualify her luck
These flights connect through Arizona
But I think I'll stay stuck
Here I am
I woke up in a car
I traced away the fog
So I could see the Mississippi on her knees
I've never been so lost
I've never felt so much at home
Please write my folks and throw away my keys
I woke up in a car
I met a girl who kept tattoos
For homes that she had loved
If I were her I'd paint my body
'Til all my skin was gone
She wrote me a letter
As we passed through Rockford
She said she won't forget
Maybe I do maybe I don't
But I know I haven't yet
But here I am
I woke up in a car
I traced away the fog
So I could see the Mississippi on her knees
I've never been so lost
I've never felt so much at home
Please write my folks and throw away my keys
I woke up in a car
Maybe I could live forever
If not ever I had known
That you'd be waiting there whenever
I am all alone
But here I am
I woke up in a car
I traced away the fog
So I could see the Mississippi on her knees
I've never been so lost
I've never felt so much at home
Please write my folks and throw away my keys
I woke up in a car
song performed by by Something Corporate from Leaving Through The Window
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Little possum
Little possum
That lives under
The back porch
I will not tell mama
She will call the exterminators
And she having grown up
On big mama’s farm in Mississippi
I’ve tell you a story
When I was ten years old granddaddy
Took me possum hunting
He caught one and built
A three legged tri pole
And built a fire at its center
He roast that possum burning off all it hair
That night full of Mississippi stare
I ate my fill.
poem by David E. Patton
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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