Mississippi Delta Blues
Longing for Home: Merle Haggard's Mississippi Delta Journey
Lyrics
With friends around and even pals that I know are true
Despite having friends and true pals around, the speaker feels lonely.
Still I'm lonely homesick and blue
The speaker is experiencing a sense of homesickness and sadness.
There's no one who can cheer me when I'm alone
No one can provide comfort to the speaker when they are alone.
Longing for my Mississippi home
The speaker expresses a deep longing for their Mississippi home.
Way down on the delta on that Mississippi shore
The speaker reflects on the Mississippi Delta, desiring to be there again.
In that muddy water, I long to be once more
The speaker yearns to be in the muddy water of the Mississippi shore.
When that shadows creep about and the whippoorwill call
As darkness falls, the speaker hears the call of the whippoorwill.
You can hear old mommy shout, "Come in here, you all"
An invitation is extended by "old mommy" to come inside as shadows creep about.
Way down on the levee, strolling in the pale moon light
The speaker imagines strolling on the levee under the pale moonlight.
You can see those steamboats and fields of snowy white
Steamboats and fields of snowy white evoke a nostalgic scene.
That's a feeling, I can't lose muddy water in my shoes
The speaker describes a feeling that is retained, muddy water in their shoes.
When I get those Mississippi Delta blues
The speaker expresses a yearning for the Mississippi Delta blues.
(Yodel)
(Yodel) - Musical expression, likely conveying emotion or sentiment.
I long to hear them singing songs, them old melodies
The speaker desires to hear old melodies and songs.
Swanee River and Ol' Black Joe
References to specific songs: "Swanee River" and "Ol' Black Joe."
That sweet magnolia perfume floating on the breeze
The speaker recalls the sweet scent of magnolia on the breeze.
Way down south is where I long to go
Expresses a strong desire to go way down south, possibly to the Mississippi Delta.
Hey, way down on the delta
Reiteration of the speaker's yearning to be on the delta.
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