Mississippi (Outtake from ‘Time Out Of Mind’ Sessions, Version 2)

[Verse 1]

Every step of the way, we walk the line

Your days are numbered, so are mine

Time is piling up, we struggle and we scrape

All boxed in, nowhere to escape

[Verse 2]

City's just a jungle, more games to play

We're trapped in the heart of it, tryin' to get away

I was raised in the country, been working in the town

I been in trouble since I set my suitcase down

[Verse 3]

Ain't got nothing for you, had nothing before

Don't even have anything for myself anymore

Sky's full of fire and the pain is pouring down

There's nothing you can sell me, I'll see you around

[Verse 4]

All my powers of expression and thoughts so sublime

Could never do you justice in reason or rhyme

There's only one thing I did wrong

Stayed in Mississippi a day too long

[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 5]

The devil's in the alley, the mule's kickin' in a stall

Say anything you wanna, I have heard it all

I was thinking about the things that Rosie said

I was dreaming I was sleeping in Rosie's bed

[Verse 6]

Walking through the leaves, falling from the trees

Feeling like a stranger nobody sees

So many things that we never will undo

I know you're sorry, I'm sorry too

[Verse 7]

Some people will offer you their hand and some won't

Last night I knew you, tonight I don't

I need something strong to distract my mind

I'm gonna look at you 'til my eyes go blind

[Verse 8]

Well, I got here following the Southern Star

I crossed that river just to be where you are

Only one thing I did wrong

Stayed in Mississippi a day too long

[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 9]

Well, my ship's been split to splinters, it's sinking fast

I'm drowning in the poison, got no future, got no past

But my heart is not weary, it's light and it's free

I've got nothing but affection for those who sailed with me

[Verse 10]

Everybody's moving if they ain't already there

Everybody got to move somewhere

Stick with me baby, anyhow

Things should start to get interesting right about now

[Verse 11]

My clothes are wet, tight on my skin

Not as tight as the corner that I painted myself in

I know that fortune is waiting to be kind

So give me your hand and say you'll be mine

[Verse 12]

The emptiness is endless, cold as the clay

You can always come back, but you can't come back all the way

There's only one thing I did wrong

Stayed in Mississippi a day too long