I'd never tell a man to ask my Daddy for my hand
I've got a thousand tales about the temper of that man
He'd shoot a man who came within a mile of my young frame
But I know that you will take the risk so I can take your name

You've got the ring; I've got the keys and sixty miles a head
Iuka, Mississippi, where the two of us will wed

Take me down to Iuka, Mississippi 'fore he knows the two of us have up and gone
Take me down to Iuka, Mississippi we can run away and never come home
Never come home

My daddy finally knocked a little sense right into me
So I asked around until I found the Justice of the Peace
The bruises on my body can't be hidden anymore
So park your car upon the hill, I'm headed out the door

Step easy so my daddy doesn't hear us sneak away
Hang around, he'll shoot you down, that's why we just can't stay

Take me down to Iuka, Mississippi 'fore he knows the two of us have up and gone
Take me down to Iuka, Mississippi we can run away and never come home
Follow close behind me, not much further now
Oh, it's just a shadow, I didn't hear a sound
Ain't no way he heard us, ain't no way he'll come
I hear someone breathing, hold my hand and run

Somewhere in the river there's a gun the devil owned
Somehow everybody knew that everything was wrong
A noose up in the maple tree; the old man's gonna pay
Two headstones for two lovers who finally got away

Take me down to Iuka, Mississippi 'fore he knows the two of us have up and gone
Take me down to Iuka, Mississippi we can run away and never come home
Take me down to Iuka, Mississippi 'fore he knows the two of us have up and gone
Take me down to Iuka, Mississippi we can run away and never come home

Never come home
Never come home
Never come home