Bring a drink of water Leroy
Bring a drink of water, no
If I could get to the mercy man
He'd give me one I know

Hey, got me a gal in Vicksburg
Big Bertha is her name
Wish I was tied to Bertha
Instead of this ball and chain

Lord, I'm going to Memphis
Yeah, I'm going to Memphis

I'm a bad seed
I'm a bitter weed
When that levee's through
And I am too
Let the honky tonk roll on
And come morning I'll be gone
I'm going to Memphis

Never been to Chicago
They say it's a mighty fine place
I never could get past Tennessee
With Mississippi all over my face
Freezing ground is my nighttime bed
That's where I lay my head
Pork salad is my bread and meat
And it will be till I'm dead

I'm going to Memphis
Yeah, I'm going to Memphis

I'm a bad seed
I'm a bitter weed
When that levee's through
And I am too
Let the honky tonk roll on
And come morning I'll be gone
I'm going to Memphis

Another boy is down
The shovel burned him out
Let me stand over his cold body
Just to see what the shouting's about

Hey, bring a drink of water Leroy
In a Mr. Prince Albert can
Boss man caught me drinking it
And he broke my hand
I'm going to Memphis
Yeah, I'm going to Memphis

I'm a bad seed
I'm a bitter weed
When that levee's through
And I am too
Let the honky tonk roll on
And come morning I'll be gone
I'm going to Memphis