Skippin' in the Mississippi Dew
Dreams and Rivers: Nostalgia in 'Skippin' Mississippi Dew' Meaning
Lyrics
Well I dream of a girl and a steering wheel steamboat
The singer dreams of a girl and a steamboat with a steering wheel.
A pilothouse stove and engine room brass
Imagery of a stove in the pilothouse and brass in the engine room.
Hanging on a post by the maindeck stairway
Long hair is hanging near the main deck stairway.
Long hair skippin in the Mississippi dew
The girl's long hair is dancing or moving lightly in the morning dew along the Mississippi River.
Oh the river run wide, run deep, run muddy
Describing the wide, deep, and muddy nature of the river.
The river run long after I am gone
The river's continuity even after the singer is no longer present.
With the steamboat wheeling on a big wide bend
Depiction of a steamboat navigating a wide bend in the river.
Just skippin in the Mississippi Dew
Reiteration of the girl skipping in the morning dew along the Mississippi.
Well I went up the river come way last Sunday
The singer traveled up the river and notes the water depth in Memphis.
Twelve feet of water on the Memphis gage
Specific measurement of water depth using the Memphis gauge.
Wouldn't be home without the muddy water rolling
The muddy water is an essential part of the singer's idea of home.
Paddle wheel skippin in the Mississippi dew
Reference to a paddle wheel moving through the Mississippi dew.
Oh the river run wide, run deep, run muddy
Continuation of describing the river's characteristics.
Oh the river run long after I am gone
Emphasis on the river's enduring nature.
With the steamboat wheelin on a big wide bend
Describes a steamboat navigating a wide bend in the river.
Just skippin in the Mississippi Dew
Reiteration of the girl skipping in the morning dew along the Mississippi.
Now it used to be Spring I'd ship on the river
Recollection of the singer's past involvement with the river during Spring.
Thirty five days on a balla [sic] line boat
Duration spent on a specific type of boat called a "balla line boat" during those times.
I'd make a little money, get a springtime chicken
Earning money and enjoying springtime pleasures.
And take off a skippin in the Mississippi Dew
The singer would joyfully skip along the Mississippi in the morning dew.
Oh the river run wide, run deep, run muddy
Reiteration of the river's characteristics.
Oh the river run long after I am gone
Emphasizes the river's ongoing existence beyond the singer's time.
With the steam boat wheelin round a big wide bend
Depicts a steamboat maneuvering around a wide bend in the river.
Just skippin in the Mississippi dew
Reiteration of the girl skipping in the morning dew along the Mississippi.
Oh the river run wide, run deep, run muddy
Emphasis on the river's enduring nature.
Oh the river run long after I am gone
Highlights the river's longevity beyond the singer's lifetime.
With the steamboat wheelin round a big wide bend
Describes a steamboat navigating a wide bend in the river.
Just skippin in the Mississippi dew
Reiteration of the girl skipping in the morning dew along the Mississippi.
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