Mississippi Flush
Gambling with Redemption: Unveiling Life's High Stakes in 'Mississippi Flush'
Lyrics
Well, they got a little game called five card draw
Introduction to a serious poker game, five card draw, in Arkansas.
They take it serious in Arkansas
Highlighting the seriousness of the poker culture in Arkansas.
You can make a little money wagerin' on cards
Stating that money can be made through betting on cards.
You can't get to heaven livin' this hard
Expressing the difficulty and challenges of a hard, risky life.
Deliver me from my sorrow and shame
Plea for deliverance from sorrow and shame.
Release me from my burden and pain.
Request for relief from burdens and pain.
It's a one eyed jack the suicide king
Reference to specific playing cards: one-eyed jack, suicide king, ace of spades, and two black queens.
The ace of spades and two black queens
Describing the hand in the poker game.
Never draw to an inside straight
Advice not to gamble on risky chances.
I feel a ten's knockin' at the gate
Sense of impending danger or opportunity.
Deliver me from my sorrow and shame
Reiteration of the plea for deliverance from sorrow and shame.
Release me from my burden and pain.
Repetition of the request for relief from burdens and pain.
Ooh, blackbird, blackbird fly away home
Symbolic reference to a blackbird, potentially representing freedom or escape.
Say a prayer over Saint John's bones
Invocation for protection over a sacred place (Saint John's bones).
Tell the gambler's their gonna die alone
Warning to gamblers about the loneliness of death.
Blackbird blackbird fly away home
Repetition of the blackbird symbolism.
Ooh, blackbird, blackbird come back again
Desire for the blackbird to return, suggesting a wish for freedom or change.
Don't tell momma where I've been
Urging secrecy about one's actions from authority figures (momma).
I'm goin' to the rive I'm gonna jump in
Expressing a desire to escape by jumping into a river.
Ohhh, blackbird, blackbird come back again.
Repetition of the blackbird's return.
It's an ace high straight and all the same suit
Describing a powerful poker hand: ace high straight, all same suit.
Read 'em and weep this hand can't lose
Asserting the strength of the hand in a poker game.
Somebody said it ain't good enough
Recognition that some may not find the hand impressive or sufficient.
'Cause that don't beat a Mississippi flush
Introducing the concept of a Mississippi flush as a superior hand.
Mr. Ledbetter will you tell me again
Asking for an explanation of a Mississippi flush from Mr. Ledbetter.
What's a Mississippi flush and how's it beat this hand
Questioning how a Mississippi flush beats the described hand.
He said they don't ask questions in the graveyard
Stating that questions are not asked in the graveyard, implying acceptance of fate.
It's a small revolver and any five cards
Describing a small revolver and any five cards as the criteria for a Mississippi flush.
Deliver me from my sorrow and shame
Reiteration of the plea for deliverance from sorrow and shame.
Release me from my burden and pain.
Repetition of the request for relief from burdens and pain.
Ohh, blackbird, blackbird fly away home
Repetition of the blackbird symbolism.
Say a prayer over Saint John's bones
Repeating the prayer for protection over a sacred place.
Tell the gambler's their gonna die alone
Reiterating the warning to gamblers about the solitude of death.
Blackbird, blackbird fly away home
Repetition of the blackbird symbolism.
Ohh, blackbird, blackbird come back again
Reiteration of the desire for the blackbird's return.
Don't tell momma where I've been
Reiterating the need for secrecy about one's actions.
I'm goin' to the rive I'm gonna jump in
Repeating the desire to escape by jumping into a river.
Ohhh, blackbird, blackbird come back again...
Final plea for the blackbird to come back, possibly signifying a longing for change or redemption.
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