I was born in Mississippi; br I walked barefooted thru the mud. br Born black in Mississippi, br Walked barefooted thru the mud. br But, when I reached the age of twelve br I left that place for good. br My daddy chopped cotton br And he drank his liquor straight. br Said my daddy chopped cotton br And he drank his liquor straight. br When I left that Sunday morning br He was leaning on the barnyard gate. br Left my mama standing br With the sun shining in her eyes. br Left her standing in the yard br With the sun shining in her eyes. br And I headed North br As straight as the Wild Goose Flies, br I been to Detroit & Chicago br Been to New York city too. br I been to Detroit & Chicago br Been to New York city too. br Said I done strolled all those funky avenues br I'm still the same old black boy with the same old blues. br Going back to Mississippi br This time to stay for good br Going back to Mississippi br This time to stay for good- br Gonna be free in Mississippi br Or dead in the Mississippi mud.