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)

^AA due took all my money wouldn't let me see the cards ^AI owe the boss about a hundred years for ^Esleepin' in his back^Ayard ^AI'm goin' to Memphis (yeah Memphis) yeah I'm goin' to Memphis (now)

^ALike a bitter weed I'm a ^Dbad seed ^DBut ^Awhen that levee's thru and I am too ^ALet the honky tonk roll on come ^Emornin' I'll be ^Agone ^AI'm goin' to Memphis yeah Memphis

^AI never been to Chicago but it must be a mighty fine place (that's right) ^AI couldn't get past Tennessee with Missi^Essippi all over my ^Aface (uh huh) ^AI'm goin' to Memphis (that's right Lord Memphis)

A/ A/ E/ A/ Well the freezin' ground at night is my own foldin' bed A/ A/ E/ A Polk salad is my bread and meat and it will be till I'm dead

^AWell I brought me a little water in a Mr Prince Albert can ^ABut the bossman caught me drinkin' it and I ^Ebelieve he broke my ^Ahand (hm hm)

^AThey all call me crazy for sassin' Mr Scott ^AMy brother was killed for a deed I did but I ^Edisremember ^Awhat (yeah) ^AWell another boy is down the shovel burned him out ^ALet me stand on his body to ^Esee what the shoutin's ^Aabout ^AI'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