I is just what I was

And am ain't who I be

To love the language

You got to be born

On the banks of the Mississippi



Ax' ya "x" what talks in tongues

Say: "never mo' neither me"

To love the language

You got to be born

On the banks of the Mississippi



Stayin by my mama's

In slippers and pajamas

Where there's always somethin good to eat

Bettin strawberries

Honey and cherries

And pecan-pies oh so sweet



With a dew-rag on my brow

Jasmine, wysteria and fleur-de-lis

To love the language

You got to be born

On the banks of the Mississippi



If you won't work fo' a livin

And live life leisurely

Pull up a screen po-ch

Flop out in a rockin chair

To love the language

You got to be born

On the banks of the Mississippi