Jewel Of The South

One fine mornin' when the wild geese fly

I'm takin' my chances on the sunny side

I'm headed down south where the grass grows tall

Where the mockingbirds singing and the whippoorwill calls

Spanish moss on the Natchez Trace

Gulf wind blowin' wide across my face

French girls dancin' to a big bang drum

Back down south where I come from

Where the river flows like warm molasses

Rain fogs up my readin' glasses

Honey suckle strong enough to curl

Your hair back down there

One fine mornin', gonna pull up stakes

I'm gonna chalk it all up as just a bad mistake

Gonna hit the decks runnin' bid a fond farewell

By the time I get to Memphis I'll be outta my shell

Cotton fields just as white as snow

Sweet magnolia blossoms grow

Big moon shinin' like an ice cream cone

Back down south where I belong

Where the river flows like milk and honey

The nights are slow and the eggs are runny

I wouldn't mind sittin' in a rockin' chair back down there

Jewel of the south cross my heart, shut my mouth

Come the mornin', I'll be home in the sweet Delta dawn

One fine mornin' and it won't be long

I'm leavin' put early with my glad rags on

I'm gonna pull a load of wool off of my own two eyes

And sharpen my senses countin' railroad ties

When the mile long trestle makes a clickity-clack

The whole dang town is gonna welcome me back

Ticket to the land of the sugar cane back

Down on the Pontchartrain

Where the river flows like a grand mariner

Sweet olive takes my breath away

Sunday mornin' walkin' on the Jackson Square back down there

Jewel of the south cross my heart, shut my mouth

Come the mornin', I'll be home in the sweet Delta dawn

Come the mornin', I'll be home in the sweet Delta dawn