[Verse 1]
Well, I'm lying here thinking that I oughta be leaving
'Cause going halfway ain't right
I'm wondering if I oughta wake you up and explain
Or leave quietly in the night
Well, the latter sounds better, so I pack up my feather
And I lean down and kiss you one time
I'm gonna miss you, but I'll be in Mississippi
By the dawn's early light

[Chorus]
Hey, by the dawn's early light, I'll be in Mississippi
Then you won't have to worry your mind
And I'll be one more loner on the road of life
With his thumb out one more time
Oh, I hate to be going, but I gave you fair warning
That I wasn't fit to be tied
I'm gonna miss you, but I'll be in Mississippi
By the dawn's early light

[Verse 2]
Well, you're lying there sleeping like a soft warm baby
And I wanna touch your skin
But I know darn well if I crawl back in bed
You'll be changing my mind again
So while your eyes are all closed and your heart don't know
I'll be doing what I think is right
I'm gonna miss you, but I'll be in Mississippi
By the dawn's early light
[Chorus]
Hey, by the dawn's early light, I'll be in Mississippi
Then you won't have to worry your mind
And I'll be one more loner on the road of life
With his thumb out one more time
Oh, I hate to be going, but I gave you fair warning
That I wasn't fit to be tied
I'm gonna miss you, but I'll be in Mississippi
By the dawn's early light, yeah

[Chorus]
Hey, by the dawn's early light, I'll be in Mississippi
Then you won't have to worry your mind
And I'll be one more loner on the road of life
With his thumb out one more time
Oh, I hate to be going, but I gave you fair warning
That I wasn't fit to be tied
I'm gonna miss you, but I'll be in Mississippi
By the dawn's early light
I'm gonna miss you, but I'll be in Mississippi
By the dawn's early light, yeah