Down in Mississippi

(Down in Mississippi)

(Way down)

As far back as I can remember

I either had a plow or hoe

One of those long-haul nine-foot sacks

Standing at the old turn row

Down in Mississippi

Down in Mississippi

Down in Mississippi, where I was born

Down in Mississippi, where I come from

They had a hunting season on the rabbit

If you shoot 'em you went to jail

Season was a always open on me

Nobody needed no band

Way down in Mississippi

Down in Mississippi

Down in Mississippi, where I was born

Down in Mississippi, where I come from

I remember, I use to walk down that gravel road

Walking with my grandma

Mississippi sun, beaming down

I went to get some water

My grandma said, "Youngin' you can't drink that water"

She said, "You drink from that fountain over there", yeah

And that fountain had a sign

Said, "For colored only"

I was so glad I had my grandma and my papa

No, I won't leave you out grandpa

My grandpa was so proud of me, y'all

I went down in Forest, Mississippi one time, there

Didn't know no better, but I integrated

A washateria

He was telling everybody, my grand baby Mavis

She went up in that washateria and washed her clothes

And all the black ladies followed her on up in there

I'm proud of my grand baby

I saw many more of those signs as I lived in Mississippi

I'm so glad I can say that I saw everyone of those signs

Doctor King saw that everyone of those signs got taken down

Down in Mississippi, whoa

(Down in Mississippi)

Down in Mississippi

Down in Mississippi, where I come from

Down in Mississippi, where I was born

(Way down)

(Way down)

(Way down) Down, down in Mississippi

(Way down) Down in Mississippi

(Way down) Down in Mississippi, where I was born

(Way down) Down in Mississippi, where I come from

(Way down)