I is just what I was
And am ain't who I be
To love the language
You got to be born
On the banks of the mississippi

Ax' ya x what talks in tongues
Say: never mo' neither me
To love the language
You got to be born
On the banks of the mississippi

Stayin by my mama's
In slippers and pajamas
Where there's always somethin good to eat
Bettin strawberries
Honey and cherries
And pecan-pies oh so sweet

With a dew-rag on my brow
Jasmine, wysteria and fleur-de-lis
To love the language
You got to be born
On the banks of the mississippi

If you won't work fo' a livin
And live life leisurely
Pull up a screen po-ch
Flop out in a rockin chair
To love the language
You got to be born
On the banks of the mississippi