I'm Going to Memphis (Bear's Sonic Journals: live at the Carousel Ballroom, April 24 1968) Songtext
von Johnny Cash

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
I'm goin′ to Memphis, yeah
A dude took all my money
He wouldn't let me see the cards
I owed the boss about a hundred years
For sleeping in his backyard
I'm goin′ to Memphis, yeah
That′s right, Memphis bound
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
I′m goin' to Memphis, yeah


I never been to Chicago
But it must be a mighty fine place
I couldn′t get past Tennessee
With Mississippi all over my face
I'm goin' to Memphis
Well, the freezing ground at night
Is my own folding bed
Polk salad is my bread and meat
And it will be till I′m dead
Another boy is down
The shovel burned him out
Let me stand on his body
To see what the shouting′s about
I'm goin′ to Memphis, yeah
That's right, Memphis bound
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
I'm goin' to Memphis
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
Mmmm, mmmm, mmmm
They all call me crazy
For sassing Mr. Scott
My brother was killed for a deed I did
But I can′t remember what
I′m goin' to Memphis, yeah
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
I'm goin′ to Memphis
That's right, Lord, I'm Memphis bound