Down In Mississippi - Mavis Staples

As far back as I can remember

I either had a plow or hoe

One of those 'ole nine foot sacs

Standing at the old turn row

Down in Mississippi

Down in Mississippi

Down in Mississippi where I was born

Down in Mississippi where I come from

They had a hunting season on the rabbit

If you shoot em you went to jail

Season was a always open on me

Nobody needed no band

I remember, I use to walk down that gravel road, walking with my grandma

Mississippi sun, beaming down

I went to get some water

My grandma said, young 'un you can’t drink that water

She said you drink from that fountain over there, heha

And that fountain had a sign

Said for color only

I was so glad I had my grandma and my papa, a huh

And I won’t leave you out grandpa

My grandpa was so proud of me y’all

I went down in forest Mississippi one time na

Didn’t know no better, but I integrated

Awasha terrier

He was telling everybody, my grandbaby mavis

She went up to washa terrier, and washed some clothes

And all the black ladies fallowed her on up in there

I’m proud of my grand baby

I saw many more of those signs as I lived in Mississippi

I’m so glad I can say that I saw everyone of those signs

Dr. King saw that everyone of those signs got taken down

Down in Mississippi