Mississippi (Outtake from 'Time Out Of Mind' Sessions, Version 1) Lyrics

Every step of the way, we walk the line
Your days are numbered, so are mine
Time is pilin' up, we struggle, and we scrape
All boxed in, nowhere to escape

City's just a jungle, more games to play
We're trapped in the heart of it, tryin' to get away
I was raised in the country, been workin' in the town
Been in trouble since I set my suitcase down

Ain't got nothin' for you, had nothin' before
Don't even have anything for myself anymore
Sky's full of fire, and the pain is pourin' down
There's nothin' you can sell me, I'll see you around

My powers of expression and thoughts, so sublime
They'll never do you justice, in reason or rhyme
Only one thing I did wrong
Stayed in Mississippi a day too long

Well, the devil's in the alley, mule's kickin' in the stall
Say anything you wanna, I have heard it all
I was thinking about the things that Rosie said
I was dreamin' I was sleepin' in Rosie's bed

I was walkin' through the leaves, fallin' from the trees
Feel like a stranger nobody sees
So many things we never will undo
I know you're sorry, I'm sorry, too

Some people will offer you their hand, and some won't
Last night I knew ya, tonight I don't
I need something strong to distract my mind
I'm gonna look at you till my eyes go blind

I got here followin' the southern star
I crossed that river just to be where you are
Only one thing I did wrong
Stayed in Mississippi a day too long

Well, my ship's been split to splinters, it's sinkin' fast
I'm drownin' in the poison, got no future, got no past
But my heart is not weary, it's light and it's free
I've got nothin' but affection for them who've sailed with me

Everybody's movin', if they ain't already there
Everybody's got to move somewhere
Stick with me baby, anyhow
Things should start to get interestin' right about now

My clothes are wet, tight on my skin
Not as tight as the corner that I've painted myself in
I know that fortune is waitin' to be kind
So give me your hand, and say you'll be mine

The emptiness is endless, cold as the clay
Can always come back, but you can't come back all the way
Only one thing I did wrong
Stayed in Mississippi a day too long