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A E A
Bring a drink of water Leroy, bring a drink of water now,
E A
if I could get to the mercy man he'd give me some I know.
E A
I got a gal in Vicksburg Bertha is her name,
E A
Lord, I wish I was tied to Bertha instead of this ball and chain.
A
I'm going' to Memphis, mm mm, I'm going' to Memphis.
D
But like a bitter weed I'm a bad seed,
A
but when the levee's thru and I am, too,
E A
let the honky tonk roll on, come morning' I'll be gone.
I'm going' to Memphis.
A E A
Well, I never been to Chicago, but it must be a mighty fine place
E A
I couldn't get past Tennessee with Mississippi all over my face.
A
I'm going' to Memphis, mm, I'm going' to Memphis.
D
Just like a bitter weed I'm a bad seed,
A
but when the levee's thru and I am, too,
E A
let the honky tonk roll on, come morning' I'll be gone.
I'm going' to Memphis.
A E A
Well, I brought me a little water in a Mr Prince Albert can,
but the boss man caught me drinking' it,
E A
and I believe he broke my hand. Mm.
E A
Another boy is down the shovel burned him out,
E A
let me stand on his body to see what the shoutin's about.
A
I'm going' to Memphis, mm mm, I'm going' to Memphis, mm mm.
D
Like a bitter weed I'm a bad seed,
A
but when the levee's thru and I am, too,
E A
let the honky tonk roll on, come morning' I'll be gone.
I'm going' to Memphis, yeah, Memphis bound.
A
I'm going' to Memphis, mm.
Written by Johnny Cash/Dew Holly/Alan Lomax