Down in Mississippi

As far back as I can remember

I either had a plow or hoe

One of those long ol’ nine-foot sacks

Standing at the old turn row

[Chorus]

Way 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 him you went to jail

Season was always open on me

Nobody needed no bail

[Chorus]

I remember, I used 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 colored only

I was so glad I had my grandma and my papa

No, I won't leave you out, Grandpa

My grandpa was so proud of me, y'all

I went down in Forest, Mississippi one time

Didn't know no better, but I integrated

A washateria

He was telling everybody, my grandbaby Mavis

She went up in that washateria, and washed some clothes

And all the black ladies followed her on up in there

I'm proud of my grandbaby

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

I'm so glad I can say that I saw every one of those signs

Dr. King saw that every one of those signs got taken down

Down in Mississippi

[Chorus]

Down, down in Mississippi