Back to Memphis
Journey Home: Chuck Berry's Struggle and Redemption in 'Back to Memphis'
Lyrics
I've been struggling up here, child, trying to make a living
The speaker expresses difficulty in making a living.
Everybody wants to take, nobody like giving
Observation that people tend to take rather than give.
I wish I was in Memphis back home there with my Mama
Desire to be in Memphis with the speaker's mother.
The only clothes I got left that ain't rags is my pajamas
Highlighting the poor condition of the speaker's clothing.
No brotherly love, no help, no danger
Reference to a lack of brotherly love and assistance.
Just a great big town full of cold hearted strangers
Depiction of a large city with unfriendly and cold-hearted inhabitants.
I went hungry in New York and Chicago was no better
Previous struggles in New York and Chicago with hunger.
But today, my dear mother wrote and told me in her letter
Receiving a letter from the speaker's mother providing comfort.
Son, come back to Memphis and live here with your Mama
Mother's invitation to return to Memphis and live with her.
You can walk down Beale Street, honey, wearing your pajamas
Humorous suggestion that the speaker can freely stroll in pajamas on Beale Street.
You know home folks here, we let do just what you want to
Expressing the freedom to do as one pleases among home folks.
And I born you and raised you right here on the corner
Claiming the speaker was born and raised on the corner in Memphis.
I'm going to leave here in the morning and walk down to the station
Plan to leave for the station the next morning.
I've got just enough money to pay my transportation
Having just enough money for transportation.
I'm going back to Memphis, back home with my Mama
Decided intention to return to Memphis and reunite with the mother.
If I have to ride that bus barefooted in pajamas
Willingness to endure hardship, even traveling barefooted in pajamas.
Back home in Memphis, no moaning and groaning
Anticipation of a more comfortable and supportive atmosphere in Memphis.
I know everything will be all right in the morning
Optimistic expectation that everything will be fine in the morning.
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