Additional lyrics by J.Cash-Arranged and adapted by A.Loman-Written by H.Dew
Recorded December 14, 1959

/ single strum

Key: Bb / Capo: 1 / Play: A

N/C
Bring a drink of water Leroy bring a drink of water (no)
N/C
If I could get to mercy man he’s give me some I know
N/C
I got a gal in Vicksburg Bertha is her name
[M/C]Wish I’s tied to Bertha instead of this ball and chain

N/C A
I’m goin’ to Memphis (that’s right Lord) yeah (uh huh)

A due took all my money wouldn’t let me see the cards
I owe 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 [A/]freezin’ ground at [A/]night is [E/]my own foldin’ [A/]bed
[A/]Polk salad is my [A/]bread and meat and it [E/]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

Like a bitter weed I’m a bad seed
But when the 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

Key: Bb / Capo: 1st / Play: A

INTRO: E A

My papa was a hobo when they delivered me
We didn’t have a doctor cause he couldn’t pay the fee
But when the goin’ got to bad to ease his misery
Papa played the dobro this way
And he’d go…

DOBRO BREAK: D A E A

When company would come around he kept the dobro hid
He knew he couldn’t play the way the other players did
Why the guitar’s resonator was a gallon bucket lid
But Papa played the dobro this way
And he’d go…

DOBRO BREAK

Well now that Papa’s gone away it’s hanging by the flu
The top of it is busted and the strings are rusted too
It won’t ever sound the way it did when it was new
When Papa played the dobro this way
And he’d go…

DOBRO BREAK