I was born in Mississippi; <br />I walked barefooted thru the mud. <br />Born black in Mississippi, <br />Walked barefooted thru the mud. <br />But, when I reached the age of twelve <br />I left that place for good. <br />My daddy chopped cotton <br />And he drank his liquor straight. <br />Said my daddy chopped cotton <br />And he drank his liquor straight. <br />When I left that Sunday morning <br />He was leaning on the barnyard gate. <br />Left my mama standing <br />With the sun shining in her eyes. <br />Left her standing in the yard <br />With the sun shining in her eyes. <br />And I headed North <br />As straight as the Wild Goose Flies, <br />I been to Detroit & Chicago <br />Been to New York city too. <br />I been to Detroit & Chicago <br />Been to New York city too. <br />Said I done strolled all those funky avenues <br />I'm still the same old black boy with the same old blues. <br />Going back to Mississippi <br />This time to stay for good <br />Going back to Mississippi <br />This time to stay for good- <br />Gonna be free in Mississippi <br />Or dead in the Mississippi mud.<br /><br />Etheridge Knight<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-poem-for-myself/
